2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO tailgate

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Delayed Locking.............................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks
(Crew Cab)...............................................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Rear Doors..................................................2-13
Tailgate.......................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Manual Windows..........................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-16
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
Passlock
ž....................................................2-19Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-20
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-20
Ignition Positions..........................................2-20
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-22
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-25
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-29
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-33
All-Wheel Drive............................................2-44
Parking Brake..............................................2-44
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-46
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-49
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-49
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-50
Engine Exhaust............................................2-51
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-52
Mirrors...........................................................2-53
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-53
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Rear Doors
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear access
door(s) that allows easier access to the rear area of the
extended cab.
To open a rear access
door from the outside, ®rst
open the front door.
Then, use the handle
located on the front edge
of the rear access door
to open it.
You must fully close a rear access door before you can
close the front door.To open a rear access
door from the inside, the
front door must be opened
®rst. Then, use the
handle located on the
inside of the rear access
door to open it.
If your vehicle is a Crew Cab
ž, you can open your
doors from the inside or outside. Your vehicle may also
have a feature which prevents children from opening
the rear doors. See
Rear Door Security Locks
(Crew Cab) on page 2-12for more information.
Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, ®rmly push it upward until it
latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards
you to be sure it latches securely.
2-13

Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for
different loading situations. Although the tailgate can
be removed without assistance, you may want someone
to assist you with the removal to avoid possible
damage to the vehicle.
To remove the tailgate, do the following:
1. Raise the tailgate
slightly and release
both retaining
cable clips. To release
the retaining cable
clips, lift the cable so it
points straight out
and push the cable clip
forward.2. With the tailgate at a
slight upward angle,
pull back on the tailgate
at the right edge and
then move the
tailgate to the right to
release the left edge.
Reverse the above procedure to reinstall. Make sure the
tailgate is secure.
2-14

Pickup Box Identi®cation and
Fender Marker Lamps
1. Remove the screws and lamp assembly.
2. Unplug the lamp assembly harness.
3. Gently pry the individual lamp from the lamp
housing.
4. Unplug the lamp.
5. Plug in a new lamp and snap it into the housing.
6. Reinstall the lamp housing.
Taillamps
1. Open the tailgate.
2. Remove the two rear
lamp assembly screws
near the tailgate
latch and pull out the
lamp assembly.3. Your vehicle may have
one of the following
taillamp assemblies:
A. Stoplamp
B. Turn Signal
C. Back-up Lamp
5-65

A. Stoplamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp
C. Back-up Lamp
D. Side Marker Lamp4. Press the release tab,
if equipped, and turn
the bulb socket
counterclockwise to
remove it from
the taillamp housing.
5. Pull the old bulb straight out from the socket.
6. Press a new bulb into the socket and turn the socket
clockwise into the taillamp housing.
7. Reinstall the rear lamp assembly.
8. Close the tailgate.
5-66

Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the ¯uid level in the clutch reservoir. SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-29. A ¯uid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, tailgate hinge, tailgate linkage, tailgate handle
pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks and folding
seat hardware. Part D tells you what to use. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-44if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch is pushed down all the way
to the ¯oor. If the starter works when the clutch isn't
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs
service.
6-14

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front Axle
Propshaft
Spline or
One-Piece
Propshaft
Spline
(Two-Wheel
Drive with Auto.
Trans.)Spline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511) or lubricant
meeting requirements of GM
9985830.
Rear Driveline
Center SplineChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Body Door
Hinge Pins,
Tailgate Hinge
and Linkage,
Folding Seats
and Fuel Door
HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Tailgate Handle
Pivot Points,
Hinges, Latch
Bolt and
LinkageMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Te¯on,
Superlube (GM Part No. U.S.
12371287, in Canada 10953437, or
equivalent).
6-21

Six-Speed (VORTECŸ 8100 V8 and
DURAMAXŸ 6600 V8 Engines)...................2-31
Skidding........................................................4-21
Snow Plow....................................................4-61
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-42
Spare Tire Check............................................6-13
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems....................5-101
Speci®cations, Capacities...............................5-118
Speedometer..................................................3-35
Stalling on an Incline.......................................4-35
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-14
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-22
Starting Your V8 Engine..................................2-23
Steering and Suspension Inspection..................6-17
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-14
Steering Tips..................................................4-13
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-122
Steering........................................................4-13
Step-Bumper Pad...........................................4-97
Stereo RCA Jacks.........................................3-117
Storage Areas................................................2-64
Center Console Storage Area........................2-65
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-64
Front Storage Area......................................2-65
Glove Box..................................................2-64
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack
and Tools...................................................5-93Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-52
Sun Visors.....................................................2-17
Supplemental Brake Assist System...................... 4-9
Swing-Out Windows........................................2-17
T
Tachometer....................................................3-35
Tailgate Removal............................................2-14
Tailgate.........................................................2-13
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models)........................5-67
Taillamps.......................................................5-65
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-54
Temperature Display........................................2-56
Testing the Alarm............................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-121
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-18
Passlock
ž...................................................2-19
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-18
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-70
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-12
Tires.............................................................5-69
Buying New Tires........................................5-74
Chains.......................................................5-78
16