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If that were the case it would be able to switch to V4 if you took your foot off the accelerator and coasted on an incline grade. It does not though. It nows you are not level or downhill and will stay in V8 mode.
I agree that acceleration plays a role as well. It pretty much only works if you are breathing on the pedal. Any more pressure and it will stay in V8 mode. However, it only switches to V4 when you are level or pointing downhill AND barely on the acclerator or not at all.
Again, when you are facing uphill (even the very slightest uphill grade) and coasting it will not come on. The description from GM also says it only functions when level or downhill.
What are the measurements under the front/rear of the side steps?
I'd be interested to read the tech article on how this actually works. I was under the impression that it did operate based on engine "demand". I don't have very many hills in my area and with that, I have the v4 come on all of the time. My neighbor "claims" that she was able to drive to work, some 10 miles, on V4 - all California coast line. I don't believe her, but if your theory is true, she may have had some air let out of her front tires. lol... However, you bring up an interesting point.