2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO automatic transmission

Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with the
rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles can be dolly towed with the
front wheels on the ground provided that the wheels are
straight and the steering column has been locked.
Four-Wheel-Drive and All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
If your vehicle is equipped with all-wheel-drive, and the
Silverado SS package, your vehicle was not designed
to be towed with any of its wheels on the ground. If your
vehicle must be towed, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-52.
For four-wheel-drive vehicles use the following
procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift an automatic transmission to PARK (P), or a
manual transmission to FIRST (1).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
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4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow dolly.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
6. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-36for the proper
procedure to select the neutral position for
your vehicle.
7. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to the
towing vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition off and lock the steering column.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
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Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often,
such as under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions. If
you have a manual transmission and you are
towing a trailer, it’s better not to use the highest
gear. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-52.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature on automatic transmission
equipped vehicles that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of
the Tow/Haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Automatic transmission equipped vehicles are provided
with a button at the end of the shift lever which when
pressed enables Tow/Haul. When the button is pressed,
a light on the instrument panel will illuminate to
indicate that Tow/Haul has been selected. Tow/Haul
may be turned off by pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the instrument panel will
turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn off Tow/Haul
every time it is started.
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Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
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. SeeTow/Haul Mode
Light on page 3-52.
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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) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off. For manual
transmissions, let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the 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, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-38.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.
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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 will not move,
even when you are 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 — not
in NEUTRAL.
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
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. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), 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.
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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.
Preset Mode:PTO speed control mode is used for
stationary applications. (PTO will remain engaged while
mobile in the preset mode, however PTO set and
resume speed controls will be inoperative). This mode
provides a default standby speed of 800 or 850 rpm
(depending on the engine/transmission combination) and
two default PTO control speeds which follow:
1. PTO Set Speed of 1,250 rpm, or
2. PTO Resume Speed of 1,700 rpm.
Please note that the standby speed (800/850 rpm) is
not to be used as a PTO control speed. Vehicles
not equipped with cruise control will not have the resume
speed capability.
To use PTO speed control in variable mode (while
mobile) do the following:
1. Engage the PTO.
2. Vehicle speed must be greater than 5 mph.
3. Make sure your foot is off the brake pedal (and
off the clutch for vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission).
4. Select the desired engine speed by using the foot
pedal, and select SET on the PTO switch or the
cruise control.
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Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol).................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling Your Tank............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ....................5-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) ...............................5-30
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-33
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-34Engine Coolant.............................................5-35
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-38
Engine Overheating.......................................5-38
Cooling System............................................5-41
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-46
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-47
Brakes........................................................5-49
Battery........................................................5-52
Jump Starting...............................................5-53
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-58
Rear Axle.......................................................5-59
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-61
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-61
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-63
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-63
Headlamps..................................................5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-65
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-66
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.......................................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1