2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Panel

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The system will automatically switch to the recirculation
mode to lower the system load and improve interior
comfort. The OUTSIDE AIR and RECIRCULATION
button LEDs will not change. The system will return to
the OUTSIDE AIR function when the system load
is reduced.
A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle when the A/C light is on.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside temperature drops below a level at which air
conditioning is ineffective.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The RECIRCULATION button allows the air inside
your vehicle to be recirculated. This setting helps to
maximize your air conditioner's performance and your
vehicle's fuel economy. This setting also cools air the
fastest and can be used to keep unwanted odors
and/or dust from entering the vehicle.
When using the air conditioner, turn off theRECIRCULATION button after the vehicle reaches a
comfortable interior temperature. When the right knob
on the control panel is between HEATER and
DEFROST, the recirculation feature will not function to
reduce window fogging.
The A/C button, below the mode knob, allows the air
coming into your vehicle to be cooled. This setting is
useful for normal cooling on hot days. When you use
A/C with the RECIRCULATION button pushed in, turn
off recirculation as soon as the vehicle reaches a
comfortable interior temperature.
Maximum air conditioning performance is obtained by
pressing the A/C button, the RECIRCULATION button
and turning the temperature knob fully counterclockwise
to the blue area. This setting also cools air the fastest.
After the vehicle's interior reaches a comfortable
temperature, press the OUTSIDE AIR button to place
the air conditioning system in the normal mode.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, it is equipped with a
passenger compartment air filter, which filters outside
air entering the vehicle. For information on replacing the
filter see ªPassenger Compartment Air Filterº in
the Index.

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If your vehicle is equipped with heated outside mirrors,
the rear window defogger button will also activate the
heated outside mirrors.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air
to the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With
the side windows closed, air will flow into the front air
inlet grilles, through the vehicle, and out the air
exhaust valves.Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running, unless you have the
RECIRCULATION button pushed in. For more
information on the RECIRCULATION button, see
ªAir Conditioningº earlier in this section.
Your vehicle has air
outlets in the center and
on the sides of your
instrument panel.
You can turn the outlets from side
-to-side or up and
down to direct the flow of air. The left driver and
passenger outlets on vehicles equipped with air
conditioning have shut off knobs. Turn the knob to the
left to shut off air flow, to the right to allow air flow.
When you close an outlet, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any outlets that are open. The center
outlet does not completely shut off airflow.

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Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to OFF.
To prevent your battery from draining while towing,
remove the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse
block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you reach your
destination. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in
the Index.
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Tw o-wheel-drive vehicles, should not be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. Two
-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they
should be placed on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground.
In rare cases when it's unavoidable that a
two
-wheel-drive vehicle is to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the propeller shaft to axle yoke
orientation should be marked and the propeller shaft
removed following the applicable service manual
removal/installation procedure.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the truck.

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Three important considerations have to do with weight:

the weight of the trailer,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the weight on your vehicle's tires.
Tow/Haul Mode (If Equipped)
Tow/haul is a feature on automatic transmission
equipped vehicles that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the
tow/haul mode is to:

Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.

Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when the
vehicle is unloaded.

Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring less
throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
Automatic transmission equipped vehicles are provided
with a button at the end of the shift lever which when
pressed enables tow/haul. When the button is pressed,
a light on the instrument panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul has been selected. Tow/haul may be turned off by pressing the button
again, at which time the indicator light on the instrument
panel will turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn
off tow/haul every time it is started.
Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of
the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
Tow/haul is most useful under the following
driving conditions:

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
through rolling terrain.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in stop and go traffic.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in busy parking lots where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.

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NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow in
DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy loads
and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in
the Index.
If you have a manual transmission and you are towing a
trailer, it's better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear).

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Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package (If Equipped)
Your pickup may be equipped with the eight-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven
-pin universal
heavy
-duty trailer connector is attached to a bracket on
the platform hitch.*
* The Center High
-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) wire
is tied next to the trailer wiring harness for use with a
trailer, slide
-in camper or cap.The eight
-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:

Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal

Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal

Brown: Taillamps

White: Ground

Light Green: Back
-up Lamps

Light Blue: CHMSL

Red: Battery Feed

Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
A jumper harness for an electric trailer brake controller
and a trailer battery feed fuse are included with this
trailering package. (SeeªInstrument Panel Jumper
Wiring Harnessº later in this section.)
If you need to tow a light
-duty trailer with a standard
four
-way round pin connector, an adapter connector is
available from your dealer.

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Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
(If Equipped)
The eight
-wire camper harness is located under the front
edge of the pickup box on the driver's side of the
vehicle, attached to the frame bracket. A connector will
have to be added to the wiring harness which connects
to the camper.
The eight
-wire harness contains the following
camper/trailer circuits:

Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal

Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal

Brown: Taillamps

White: Ground

Light Green: Back
-up Lamps

Light Blue: Center High
-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)

Red: Battery Feed

Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
A jumper harness for an electric trailer brake controller
and a trailer battery feed fuse are included with this
trailering package. (SeeªInstrument Panel Jumper
Wiring Harnessº later in this section.)
If your vehicle is equipped with the ªHeavy-Duty
Traileringº option, please refer to ªHeavy
-Duty Trailer
Wiring Packageº, earlier in this section.
When the camper
-wiring harness is ordered without the
heavy
-duty trailering package, an eight-wire harness
with a seven
-pin connector and separate CHMSL
connector are located at the rear of the vehicle and are
tied to the vehicle's frame.

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Instrument Panel Jumper Wiring Harness
This harness is included with the heavy-duty and
camper/fifth
-wheel trailer wiring packages. The harness
is for an electric trailer brake controller and includes a
trailer battery feed fuse. This harness and fuse should be
installed by your dealer or a qualified service center.
Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped)
The auxiliary battery provision can be used to supply
electrical power to additional equipment that you may
choose to add, such as a slide
-in camper.
If your vehicle has this
provision, this relay will be
located on the passenger's
side of the vehicle, next to
the auxiliary battery.
When using this provision, connection should only be
made to the upper stud (A) of the relay. Do not make
connections to the lower stud (B) of the relay.
The auxiliary battery circuit is protected by a megafuse
located behind the auxiliary battery.
Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions
that are included with any electrical equipment that
you install.