1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-3 Rear Access Door (Extended Cab)
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-8 Tailgate
2
-10 Theft
2
-11 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-12 Passlock

2-13 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-13 Ignition Positions
2
-16 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2
-19 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-20 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-24 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-27 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-33 Parking Brake
2
-34 Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-37 Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-38 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-38 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-39 Engine Exhaust
2
-40 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-41 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2
-42 Locking Rear Axle
2
-42 Windows
2
-44 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-51 Exterior Lamps
2
-54 Interior Lamps
2
-56 Mirrors
2
-66 Instrument Panel
2
-68 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-70 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Message Center

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Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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Your vehicle has one
double
-sided key for the
ignition and all door locks.
Your vehicle may also have
a key that locks and unlocks
the center floor console
only (if equipped).
If you ever lose your
keys, your dealer will be
able to assist you with
obtaining replacements.
Rear Access Door (Extended Cab)
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear access door that
allows easier access to the rear area of the extended cab.
To open the rear access door
from the outside, first open
the passenger's side front
door. Then, use the handle
located on the front edge of
the access door to open it.
You must fully close the rear access door before you can
close the front passenger door.

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To open the rear access
door from the inside, the
passenger's side front door
must be opened first. Then,
use the handle located on
the inside of the rear access
door to open it.Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.

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There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
You can use the keyless entry system (if equipped).
You can also use your key.
Use only the key or the keyless entry transmitter if your
vehicle is equipped with the content theft
-deterrent
system and the system is on.
From the inside, to lock the
door, slide the lever
rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the
lever forward.
Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
power door lock switch,
press the raised side of the
switch, marked ªLº on
either front door to lock
all the doors at once.
Press the recessed side of the switch marked ªUº to
unlock all the doors at once.
If your vehicle has this
power door lock switch,
press the bottom of the
switch on either front door
to lock all the doors at once.
Press the top of the switch to unlock all the doors at once.

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The power door locks will operate at any time without
the ignition being on.
The power door locks will also automatically lock when
the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). To unlock the
doors, refer to the instructions listed previously. The
automatic locking feature can be disabled, if you prefer.
See your dealer for assistance.
Operating the power locks may interact with the
theft
-deterrent system. See ªContent Theft-Deterrentº
in the Index.
Lockout Prevention
To protect you from locking your key in the vehicle, this
feature stops the power door locks from locking when
the keys are in the ignition and a door is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the driver's door will unlock.
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m)
away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied
with your vehicle.
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to
your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

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Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
Operation
UNLOCK: Pressing this button once will unlock the
driver's door. The parking lamps will flash and the
interior lights will come on. Pressing UNLOCK again
within three seconds will cause the remaining doors to
unlock. The parking lamps will flash and the interior
lights will come on.
LOCK: Pressing this button once will lock all of the
doors. Press LOCK again within three seconds and the
horn will chirp.
Operating the keyless entry transmitter may interact
with the theft
-deterrent system. See ªContent-Theft
Deterrentº in the Index.
Remote Panic Alarm
When the button with the horn symbol on the key
transmitter is pressed, the horn will sound and the
headlamps and taillamps will flash for up to 30 seconds.
This can be turned off by pressing the horn button again,
waiting for 30 seconds, or starting the vehicle.
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent
another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased
through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the
dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle,
any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your
dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will
not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't work
at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to
your vehicle before the transmitter works, it's probably time
to change the battery.
NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any
of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to
these surfaces may damage the transmitter.

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To replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter:
1. Insert a dime in the slot between the covers of the
transmitter housing near the key ring hole. Remove
the bottom by twisting the dime.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt
CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Resynchronize the transmitter.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by this system. The transmitter does not
send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal that has been sent
previously. This prevents anyone from recording and
playing back the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK
buttons on the transmitter at the same time for seven
seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your
dealer for service.
Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it away from you into
the latch.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back toward
you to be sure that it latches securely.