2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO warning light

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

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

2-37
Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you may have
a SHIFT light. This light
will show you when to shift
to the next higher gear for
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions allow.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to
go on and off if you quickly change the position
of the accelerator.
If your vehicle has four
-wheel drive and is equipped
with a manual transmission, disregard the SHIFT light
when the transfer case is in 4
-Wheel Low.
Ignore the SHIFT light when you downshift.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
flash. A chime will activate when the parking brake is
applied and the vehicle is moved at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
for at least three seconds.

2-38
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
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. If
you have 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, use the steps that
follow. With four
-wheel drive if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free 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. If you're pulling a trailer, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

2-98
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a driver information system
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See ªMessage Centerº in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about six seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

2-101
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on when
you have turned off the air bag, it means that
something may be wrong with the air bag system.
The right front passenger's air bag could inflate
even though the switch is off.
If your vehicle is a regular cab pickup and this
ever happens, don't let anyone whom the
national government has identified as a member
of a passenger air bag risk group sit in the right
front passenger's position (for example, don't
secure a rear
-facing child restraint in your
vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced.
If your vehicle is an extended cab pickup and this
ever happens, don't let anyone whom the
national government has identified as a member
of a passenger air bag risk group sit in the right
front passenger's position (for example, don't
secure a rear
-facing child restraint in the right
front passenger's seat) until you have your
vehicle serviced.
Voltmeter
United States Canada
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in
RUN, this gage shows your battery's state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.

2-102
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading in
either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.Shift Light (If Equipped)
This light is used on
some models with
manual transmissions.
The SHIFT indicator light will help you get the best fuel
economy. See ªShift Lightº or ªShift Speedsº in the
index for more information.

2-103
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light will
flash when you set the parking brake. The light will flash
if the parking brake doesn't release fully. If you try to
drive with the parking brake engaged, a chime will sound
when the vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States CanadaThis light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.