2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

2-41
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system, you have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the manual
transmission is in gear. You or someone else could
be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release
the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if you are pulling a
trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

2-42
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-43
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan is at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case
in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL. Always set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-44
Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
The main function of this system is to provide superior
ride comfort while trailering or fully loaded, as well as
for unloaded driving. This system also helps to provide:

Improved trailering stability

Improved handling response when trailering or
fully loaded
This button is located on
the center of the instrument
panel near the radio. Press it
to activate the selectable
ride setting as desired.
An indicator light near
the button will illuminate
whenever the system
is active.
It is recommended to use this system as follows:

For optimum ride comfort in an unloaded vehicle the
button should be out and the indicator light will not
be illuminated. This switch position indicates
NORMAL levels of ride control or damping.
For optimum ride comfort when trailering, fully
loaded, driving off
-road, or when personal
preferences demand more control the button should
be pressed in with the indicator light illuminated.
This switch position indicates FIRM levels of ride
control or damping.
The following guide can also be used to help determine
the best setting.
NORMAL: The indicator light will be off when the
system is in this setting. Use for normal city and
highway driving. Provides a smooth, soft ride when the
vehicle is unloaded.
FIRM (Unloaded): Press the switch to activate this
setting, the indicator light will illuminate. Use this
setting when road conditions or personal preference
demand more control. Provides more ªfeelº or response
to the road conditions.
FIRM (Loaded): Press the switch to activate this
setting, the indicator light will illuminate. Use this
setting to minimize trailer inputs to the vehicle or when
the vehicle is fully loaded. This setting is also
appropriate for off
-road driving.
You can select a setting at any time based on road and
trailering conditions to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.

2-45
Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four
-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the
part that follows before using four
-wheel drive. See the
appropriate text for the transfer case in your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4HI) or
4
-WHEEL LOW (4LO) positions for a long time
on dry or wet pavement could shorten the life of
your vehicle's drivetrain.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.

2-46
Manual Transfer Case (If Equipped)
The transfer case shift lever is on the floor to the right of
the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of
four
-wheel drive.
The 4WD indicator will
light up when you shift into
four
-wheel drive and the
front axle engages.
Some delay between shifting and the indicator's lighting
is normal.

2-47
An indicator on the bezel near the lever shows you the
transfer case settings:
2
-Wheel High (2HI): This setting is used for driving in
most street and highway situations. Your front axle is
not engaged in two
-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
4
-Wheel High (4HI): Use 4HI when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off
-road situations. This setting also engages your front
axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best setting to
use when plowing snow.
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P), or if you have a manual
transmission, even if you are in gear. You or
someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure
to set the parking brake before placing the
transfer case in NEUTRAL. See ªParking Brakeº
in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): Shift to this setting only when your
vehicle needs to be towed. The ignition switch must be
in RUN in order to shift the lever into NEUTRAL (N).
See ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº or ªTowing your
Vehicleº in the Index.
4
-Wheel Low (4L0): This setting also engages your
front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need
4LO. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You
might choose 4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep
sand, deep mud, deep snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.
You can shift from 2
-Wheel High (2HI) to 4-Wheel
High (4HI) or from 4
-Wheel High (4HI) to 2-Wheel
High (2HI) while the vehicle is moving. Your front axle
will engage faster if you take your foot off of the
accelerator for a couple of seconds after you shift. In
extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or
slow the vehicle to shift into 4
-Wheel High (4HI).

2-48
To shift into or out of 4-Wheel Low (4LO)
or NEUTRAL (N):
1. Slow the vehicle to a roll, about 1 to 3 mph
(2 to 5 km/h) and shift an automatic transmission
into NEUTRAL (N), or with a manual transmission,
press the clutch pedal.
2. Shift the transfer case shift lever in one
continuous motion.
Don't pause in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift the
transfer case into 4
-Wheel Low (4LO), or your
gears could clash.
Remember that driving in 4
-Wheel High (4HI) or
4
-Wheel Low (4LO) may reduce fuel economy. Also,
driving in four
-wheel drive on dry pavement could
cause your tires to wear faster and make your transfer
case harder to shift and run noisier.
Automatic Transfer Case (If Equipped)
The transfer case buttons
are located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of
four
-wheel drive.