2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO automatic transmission

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

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet for an automatic transmission, or into
gear for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission, or REVERSE (R) for a
manual transmission.5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL.
6. Release the regular brakes.{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 ®rmly 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.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake ®rmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel-drive vehicles
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 Ð not in
NEUTRAL.
4-88

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If
you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these sections
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab crew cab pickups have a
six-wire trailer towing harness.
The six-wire harness is located at the rear of the vehicle
and is tied to the vehicle's frame. The harness requires
the installation of a trailer-wiring harness connector,
which is available through your dealer.
4-89

Power Take-Off (PTO)
Before using a PTO, if equipped, refer to the
manufacturer's or installer's instructions.
To engage a PTO on a vehicle with a manual
transmission do the following:
1. Hold the clutch pedal down.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).
4. Engage the PTO. Refer to the manufacturer's
or installer's for instructions on electrically
engaged PTOs.
5. For mobile operations, shift the transmission into
the gear you want, apply the regular brakes and
release the parking brake. For stationary operations,
leave the parking brake applied.
6. Release the clutch and regular brakes as you
normally would. When the clutch is released,
the PTO will start.
7. Turn the PTO rotary switch to ON.To engage a PTO on a vehicle with an automatic
transmission do the following:
1. For stationary use shift the transmission into
PARK (P).
2. Turn the PTO rotary switch ON.
3. If the engine speed is below the PTO engage
speed limit, the PTO will start. The blinking LED
on the PTO control switch indicates PTO engage is
requested. When PTO engages the LED will
switch from blinking to a steady light.
To use PTO speed control in Preset Mode (Factory
Setting) do the following:
1. Engage the PTO
2. Select PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) range. Apply the
parking brake if NEUTRAL (N) is selected. Torque
Converter Clutch (TCC) is not available in
NEUTRAL (N) and is available only in PARK (P)
when engine speed is above 1,100 rpm.
3. Make sure your foot is off the brake pedal (and off
the clutch on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission).
4. Select the desired engine speed for PTO operation.
Read the following preset mode information
regarding operation.
4-95

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

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-30.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-23orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-26.
F. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-36.
G. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.
I. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-48.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-48.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-44.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-29.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-110.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-47.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-43.
5-11

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-30.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-23orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-26.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-36.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-48.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-48.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-44.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-29.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-110.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-47.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-43.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-30.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-23orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-26.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-36.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-48.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-48.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-44.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-29.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-110.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-47.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-43.
5-15