2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO four wheel drive

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-67
Restraint System Check
............................1-84
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-55
OnStar
®System
......................................2-65
Storage Areas
.........................................2-67
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-70
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-33
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-53
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-72Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-52
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-58
Rear Axle
...............................................5-59
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-60
Noise Control System
...............................5-61
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-73
Tires
......................................................5-74
Appearance Care
...................................5-114
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-122
Electrical System
....................................5-123
Capacities and Specications
...................5-132
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2004 Chevrolet Silverado Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab).............2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-14
Rear Doors..................................................2-14
Tailgate.......................................................2-15
Windows........................................................2-17
Manual Windows..........................................2-17
Power Windows............................................2-18
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-19
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-19
Sun Visors...................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-20
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-20
Passlock
®....................................................2-22Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-23
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-24
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-26
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-27
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-31
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-36
All-Wheel Drive............................................2-48
Parking Brake..............................................2-48
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-49
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-51
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-52
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-52
Engine Exhaust............................................2-53
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-53
Mirrors...........................................................2-55
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-55
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-55
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L) — not in
NEUTRAL. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-49
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up. If your vehicle
is equipped with the Allison Transmission
®, the R
may blink on the PRNDL if the shift inhibitor is active.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-50.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
2-28

Up-Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you may
have a shift light. This light
will show you when to
shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions allow.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to
go on and off if you quickly change the position
of the accelerator.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and is equipped with
a manual transmission, disregard the SHIFT light
when the transfer case is in 4-Wheel Low.
Ignore the SHIFT light when you downshift.
Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction.
To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you
must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that
follows before using four-wheel drive. See the
appropriate text for the transfer case in your vehicle.
Notice:Driving on pavement in four-wheel drive for
an extended period of time may cause premature
wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive
in four-wheel drive on pavement for extended
periods of time.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
2-36

Manual Transfer Case
The transfer case shift lever is on the oor to the right
of the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.A 4WD indicator light will
illuminate when you shift
into four-wheel drive
and the front axle engages.
SeeFour-Wheel-Drive
Light on page 3-51.
Some delay between shifting and the indicator’s lighting
is normal.
2-37

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Transfer Case Settings
Driving Conditions 2HI 4HI 4LO N
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-53or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-52for further
information.
An indicator on the bezel near the lever shows you the
transfer case settings:
2-Wheel High (2HI):This setting is used for driving in
most street and highway situations. Your front axle
is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting
also provides the best fuel economy.
4-Wheel High (4HI):Use 4HI when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. This setting also engages your front
axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best setting
to use when plowing snow.{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or if you have a
manual transmission, even if you are in gear.
You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-48.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift to this setting only when your
vehicle needs to be towed. SeeRecreational Vehicle
Towing on page 4-53orTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-52.
4-Wheel Low (4L0):This setting also engages your
front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need 4LO. It sends maximum power to all four wheels.
You might choose 4LO if you are driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, deep snow and climbing
or descending steep hills.
2-38

Shifting In or Out of 4LO
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into 4LO while
moving at speeds faster than 3 mph (5 km/h)
may cause premature wear to the transfer case, and
may cause the gears to grind. To avoid causing
premature wear, and grinding the gears, do not shift
the transfer case into 4LO while the vehicle is
moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Shifts into 4LO can be made with the vehicle at a stop,
or while slowly rolling about 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h).
Shift the automatic transmission into
NEUTRAL (N), or with a manual transmission,
press the clutch pedal, or shift into NEUTRAL.
Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous
motion into the 4LO position.
When in 4LO do not drive faster than 45 mph.
This will reduce wear and extend the life of
your transfer case.
Shifting In or Out of NEUTRAL
1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle
set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).
Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion into or
out of the NEUTRAL (N) position.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case
buttons are located to the
left of the instrument
panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Transfer Case Settings
Driving
Conditions2HIAUTO
4WD4HI 4LO N
Normal YES
Variable YES
Severe YES
2-40

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
(cont’d)
Transfer Case Settings
Driving
Conditions2HIAUTO
4WD4HI 4LO N
Extreme YES
Vehicle in
Tow*YES
*See “Recreational Vehicle Towing” in the Index for
further information.
You can choose among four driving settings:
AUTO 4WD:This setting is ideal for use when road
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle
in AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the
vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. When the
vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will
automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.
h(2HI):This setting is used for driving in most street
and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged
in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the
best fuel economy.
G(4HI):Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such
a on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.This setting also engages your front axle to help drive
your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
g(4LO):This setting also engages your front axle
and delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO.
It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might
choose 4LO if you are driving off-road in deep sand,
deep mud, deep snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-48.
NEUTRAL:Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-53orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-52for more information.
2-41