2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO heating

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ¯ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ¯ash, telling other drivers
you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash 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 gearbeforeyou 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 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
Tow/Haul Mode
Light on page 3-53.If you have a 5-speed 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).
If you have a 6-speed manual transmission and you are
towing a trailer, it's better not to use SIXTH (6) gear.
Drive in FIFTH (5) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or
the manual transmission out of gear and the parking
brake applied) for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
see
Engine Overheating on page 5-33.
4-87

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-8
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-23Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-26
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-28
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-29
Engine Coolant.............................................5-30
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-33
Engine Overheating.......................................5-33
Cooling System............................................5-36
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-41
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-42
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-43
Brakes........................................................5-44
Battery........................................................5-47
Jump Starting...............................................5-48
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-54
Rear Axle.......................................................5-55
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-56
Noise Control System.....................................5-58
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-58
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

When to Check and What to Use
The clutch master cylinder
reservoir is located in the
rear of the engine
compartment on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the ¯uid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper ¯uid. See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-12andPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-19.
How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper ¯uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it's in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
žextended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-33.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-30

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10for
more information on
location.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
Notice:Your pressure cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
See ªCapacities and Speci®cationsº for more
information.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-47. In addition, you will
®nd a LOW COOLANT LEVEL, ENGINE OVERHEATED
and a REDUCED ENGINE POWER message in the
Driver Information Center on the instrument panel. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ®ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
5-33

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
·Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
·Underin¯ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
·Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure
The Certi®cation/Tire label or Tire and Loading
Information label shows the correct in¯ation pressures
for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-58.
Notice:Don't let anyone tell you that underin¯ation
or overin¯ation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underin¯ation), you can get
the following:
·Too much ¯exing
·Too much heat
5-69

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-109
Electrochromic Mirror Operation................2-54, 2-57
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-41
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-51
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-12
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-35
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-12
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66
Engine..........................................................5-21
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-49
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-47
Coolant......................................................5-30
Cooling System Inspection............................6-17
Exhaust.....................................................2-51
Fan Noise..................................................5-41
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-33Engine (cont.)
Starting......................................................2-22
Entertainment System....................................3-125
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-125
DVD Distortion..........................................3-122
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-25
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Express Down Windows..................................2-16
Extended Cab and Crew Cab...........................1-50
Extended Cab................................................1-53
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a PTY Station
(RDS and XMŸ).......................3-78, 3-88, 3-101
Finding a Station....................3-73, 3-76, 3-86, 3-99
Finish Care..................................................5-104
Finish Damage.............................................5-106
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines)........................................2-30
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 6000 V8 Engine)...........2-29
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-125
6

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamps....................................................5-59
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-61
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-59
Pickup Box Identi®cation and Fender Marker
Lamps....................................................5-65
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-62
Headphones.................................................3-116
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heating.........................................................3-30
Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness Package........4-90
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-45
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-46
Hitches..........................................................4-85
Hood.............................................................. 5-8
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-8
Release....................................................... 5-9
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
Gasoline Engines........................................5-38
How to Add Fluid............................5-25, 5-28, 5-29
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-30
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-55How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-43
How to Check........................5-23, 5-26, 5-28, 5-70
How to Inspect...............................................5-21
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydraulic Clutch System Check........................6-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-29
Hydroplaning..................................................4-41
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-35
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-34
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-50
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-50
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-52
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-68
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-50
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-15
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-69
Inspection......................................................6-18
Brake System.............................................6-18
Engine Cooling System................................6-17
Exhaust System..........................................6-17
Fuel System...............................................6-17
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-17
8