2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO automatic transmission

2-
2-1
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 Windows
2-5 Keys
2-7 Door Locks
2-12 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-15 Rear Doors
2-16 Tailgate
2-17 Theft
2-19 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2-20 Passlock

2-21 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-21 Ignition Positions
2-24 Starting Your Engine
2-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-27 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-32 Manual Transmission Operation
2-37 Parking Brake
2-38 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-41 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-41 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-42 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-42 Engine Exhaust
2-43 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-44 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2-45 Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)
2-45 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2-56 QUADRASTEER(4WS) (If Equipped)
2-59 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-66 Exterior Lamps
2-71 Interior Lamps
2-73 Mirrors
2-90 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2-94 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-96 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-98 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-115 Message Center

2-8
Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
power door lock switch,
press the raised side of the
switch, marked L, on either
front door to lock all the
doors at once.
Press the recessed side of the switch marked U 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.
The power door locks will operate at any time even
when the ignition is off.
The power door locks will also automatically lock
when the vehicle is out of PARK (P), or for manual
transmission, 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 ªProgrammable Automatic
Door Locksº in the following text.
Operating the power locks may interact with the
theft
-deterrent system (if equipped). See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index.

2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has power door locks, it is equipped with
a feature that enables you to program the door locks.
Your vehicle left the factory programmed to automatically
lock all doors when the vehicle is out of PARK (P), and
all doors unlock when the vehicle is in PARK (P). You can
set the automatic door lock feature to unlock the doors
you select once the vehicle is in PARK (P).
If your vehicle has a manual transmission it left the
factory programmed to lock all doors when the vehicle
speed is greater than 15 mph (24km/h) for two seconds,
and unlock all doors once the key is removed from the
ignition. You can set the automatic door lock feature to
unlock the doors you select once the key is removed
from the ignition.
The following instructions detail how to program your
door locks.To enter the program mode you need to do
the following:
1. Beginning with the ignition in OFF. Pull back on the
turn signal/multifunction lever all the way toward
you until flash
-to-pass is activated, and hold it while
you perform the next step.
2. Turn your key to RUN and OFF twice. Then, with
the key in OFF, release the turn signal/multifunction
lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock
mechanism lock and unlock.
3. You are now ready to program the automatic door
locks. Select one of the following four programming
options and follow the instructions. You will have
thirty seconds to complete programming. If you
exceed the thirty
-second limit, the locks will
automatically lock and unlock to indicate you have
left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the
procedure beginning with Step 1. You can exit the
program mode any time by turning the ignition to
RUN (the locks will automatically lock and unlock
to indicate you are leaving the program mode.)
If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in
the programming mode, the automatic lock/unlock
setting will not be modified.

2-18
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
If you have a manual transmission, your steering wheel
will be locked, and so will your ignition. If you have an
automatic transmission, your ignition and transmission
will be locked. Also remember to lock the doors.
If the key is in the ignition, with any door open, and you
try to lock your doors with the power door locks, the
driver's door will not stay locked. This will help to keep
you from locking your keys in the vehicle.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your
ignition key? What if you have to leave something
valuable in your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

2-24
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a safety feature.
Starting Your V8 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

2-27
Automatic Transmission OperationIf your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This
display must be powered anytime the shift lever is
capable of being moved out of PARK (P). This means
that if your key is in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will
be a small current drain on your battery which could
discharge your battery over a period of time. If you have
to leave your key in the ignition in OFF for an extended
period, it is recommended that you remove the IGN 0
fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. See ªFuses
and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.

2-30
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying
a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off
-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle is equipped with the Allison
Transmission, do not idle in DRIVE (D) for more
than five minutes. Extended idling in DRIVE (D)
may cause transmission overheating and damage.
Always select PARK (P) if idle time is longer than
five minutes.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Allison
Transmission, it will initially attain first range when
DRIVE (D) is selected. As vehicle speed increases, the
transmission will upshift automatically through each
available range up to FIFTH (5). As the vehicle slows,
the transmission will downshift automatically.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D).
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) in a light duty
automatic transmission, the transmission will drive in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing the
speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.

2-31
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won't shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (0
C) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.
Tow/Haul Mode Selector Button
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul mode. The
selector button is located on the end of the column shift
lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the
Index for more information.