2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO brakes

If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-114.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
5-51

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system — for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in — be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you do
not, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change — for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco®battery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-14for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
5-52

(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire. The
load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from A to Z. The light truck tire size example
above shows dual or single tire congurations.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats,
andair conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-82.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
5-79

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or P265/75R16,
LT265/75R16, P265/70R17 or P275/55R20 size
tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because there’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle does not have dual wheels
and is equipped with a tire size other than
P265/75R16, LT265/75R16, P265/70R17 or
P275/55R20, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the tires of the
rear axle. Don’t use chains on the tires of the front
axle. Tighten them as tightly as possible with
the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-91

*1— Gasoline Engine and Diesel Engine.
*2— Gasoline Engine; ECMRPV — Diesel Engine.
*3— Gasoline Engine; FUEL HT — Diesel Engine.
*4— Gasoline Engine; ECM I — Diesel Engine.
*5— IGN/EDU
Fuses Usage
GLOW PLUGDiesel Glow Plugs and Intake
Air Heater
CUST FEED Gasoline Accessory Power
STUD #1Auxiliary Power (Single
Battery and Diesels Only)/
Dual Battery (TP2) Do not
install fuse.
MBECMid Bussed Electrical Center
Power Feed, Front Seats,
Right Doors
BLOWER Front Climate Control Fan
LBECLeft Bussed Electrical
Center, Door Modules, Door
Locks, Auxiliary Power
Outlet — Rear Cargo Area
and Instrument Panel
Fuses Usage
STUD 2Accessory Power/Trailer
Wiring Brake Feed
ABS Anti-Lock Brakes
VSES/ECAS Vehicle Stability
IGN A Ignition Power
IGN B Ignition Power
LBEC 1Left Bussed Electrical Center,
Left Doors, Truck Body
Controller, Flasher Module
TRL PARK Parking Lamps Trailer Wiring
RR PARKRight Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
LR PARKLeft Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
PARK LP Parking Lamps Relay
STARTER Starter Relay
INTPARK Interior Lamps
STOP LP Stoplamps
TBC BATTTruck Body Controller
Battery Feed
SUNROOF Sunroof
SEO B2 Off-Road Lamps
5-129

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments, and specications
for GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

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

Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-20
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-20
Passlock
®...................................................2-22
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-70
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-74
Tire Size.......................................................5-77
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-79
Tires.............................................................5-74
Buying New Tires........................................5-86
Chains.......................................................5-91
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-93
Dual Tire Operation.....................................5-83
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-92
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-82
Inspection and Rotation................................5-83
Spare Tire................................................5-113
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-88
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-89
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-89
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-86
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-26
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-68
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)...............2-51
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-88
Tow/Haul Mode (Automatic Transmission)...........2-30
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-52
Tow/Haul Mode, Overdrive Disable....................3-52Towing
Power Take-Off (PTO)................................4-100
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-53
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-70
Your Vehicle...............................................4-52
Traction
Assist System (TAS)...................................... 4-9
Manual Selectable Ride................................4-11
Off Light.....................................................3-45
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-70
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-69
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-90
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-95
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE (Allison
Transmission
®Only).....................................3-71
Transfer Case........................................5-58, 5-60
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic..................................5-27, 5-30
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-33
Temperature Gage.......................................3-46
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-43
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-70
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-27
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-31
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-25
Trip Information Button....................................3-54
16