2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO transmission fluid

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Add uid only after checking the transmission uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much uid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L).Don’t overll.
Notice:We recommend you use only uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, because uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by uid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described underHow to Check.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. See your maintenance schedule to nd out
when to change your transmission uid.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transmission case.
5-33

Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the uid level is low, add more
uid as described in the next steps.How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only enough
uid to bring the uid level up to the bottom of the
ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is
fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
lled with hydraulic clutch uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding
uid won’t correct a leak.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired. 5–speed for VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines Shown, Other Manual
Transmissions Similar
5-34

6. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is
hand-tight and
fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This
is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is
merely the coolingsystem functioning properly. The fan will slow
down when additional cooling is not required and the
clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
8100 V8 Engine
5-46

(g)Add uid as needed. A uid loss could indicate a
problem; repair as needed. Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle GVWR is over 8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-35for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly (if equipped).
Replace as needed.(l)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(m)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
6-9

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name,
part number or specication may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-20.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Clutch System
(5–Speed
Trans.)Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345347, in
Canada 10953517) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake uid.
Hydraulic
Clutch System
(6–Speed
Trans.)Hydraulic Clutch Fluid. Use only
GM Part No. U.S. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244, DOT-4
brake uid.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Manual
Transmission
(5–Speed with
Low Gear,
RPO MW3)GM Goodwrench Synthetic Manual
Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in
Canada 10953477) or equivalent
SAE 75W-85 GL-4 gear oil.
6-13

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Manual
Transmission
(5–Speed
without Low
Gear,
RPO MG5)Synchromesh Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345349, in
Canada 10953465).
Manual
Transmission
(6–Speed)TranSynd™ Synthetic Transmission
Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12378515,
in Canada 88900701).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Floor Shift
LinkageLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2 Category
LB or GC-LB.
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front Axle
(Four-Wheel
Drive)SAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052271, in
Canada 10950849).
Front Axle
(All-Wheel
Drive)SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455)
meeting GM Specication 9986115.
Front AxleSAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052271, in
Canada 10950849).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378261, in
Canada 10953455) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Rear Axle
(Steerable)Synthetic Axle Lubricant; use only
GM Part No. U.S. 12378557, in
Canada 88901362.Do not add
friction modier.
Manual
Transfer CaseDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
Transfer Case
(Four-Wheel
Drive)AUTO-TRAK II Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12378508, in
Canada 10953626).
6-14

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Transfer Case
(All-Wheel
Drive)DEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
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 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).
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).
Tailgate Handle
Pivot Points,
Hinges, Latch
Bolt and
LinkageMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Teon,
Superlube (GM Part No.
U.S. 12371287, in
Canada 10953437).
6-15

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-86
Radio with CD............................................3-76
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-100
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-125
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-73
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-72
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-127
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-128
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-130
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..........2-56, 2-58
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-40
Automatic Transmission...................2-24, 2-49, 2-51
Fluid..................................................5-27, 5-30
Operation...................................................2-27
Auxiliary Battery............................................4-100
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-17
B
Backing Up....................................................4-92
Battery..........................................................5-52
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-64
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-19
Battery Warning Light......................................3-42Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-42
Before You Drive...........................................3-114
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-23
Brake
Parking......................................................2-48
System Warning Light..................................3-43
Brake Adjustment............................................5-51
Brake Fluid....................................................5-49
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-51
Brake Wear...................................................5-51
Brakes..........................................................5-49
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
BUCKLE PASSENGER....................................3-65
BUCKLE SEATBELT.......................................3-65
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-63
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp............................................5-68
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-65
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-63
Headlamps.................................................5-63
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-69
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-72
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-66
Taillamps....................................................5-70
Buying New Tires...........................................5-86
2