2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO check transmission fluid

CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle is equipped with an oil level sensor and
the oil level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool or
warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this message
will clear. Once the problem is corrected, pressing
any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20
for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-47. Adding washer uid to the windshield washer
reservoir will clear the message. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons, if equipped, will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
If the driver’s door is not fully closed, this message
will appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of
the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Turn off the air conditioning.
If the message is still on, or if the engine coolant
temperature gage continues to rise, pull the vehicle
over when it is safe to do so. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-42for more information.
Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in PARK (P),
or FIRST (1) for manual transmissions, to allow
the coolant to reach a safe temperature. This message
will clear when the coolant temperature drops to
safe operating temperature.
3-56

Service............................................................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-20
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine)......................................5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ....................5-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) ...............................5-30Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-33
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-34
Engine Coolant.............................................5-35
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-38
Engine Overheating.......................................5-38
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only)......................................5-40
Cooling System............................................5-40
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-45
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-47
Brakes........................................................5-48
Battery........................................................5-51
Jump Starting...............................................5-52
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-57
Rear Axle.......................................................5-58
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-59
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-61
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-38.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission
®)
on page 5-27orAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) on page 5-30.
F. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-40.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-46.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-52.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-52.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-34.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-127.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-51.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-47.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-38.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission
®)
on page 5-27orAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) on page 5-30.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-40.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-52.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-46.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-52.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-34.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-127.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-51.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-47.
5-17

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-38.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission
®)
on page 5-27orAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) on page 5-30.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-40.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-52.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-52.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-46.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-34.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-127.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-51.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-47.
5-19

6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
7. Reset the air lter restriction indicator, if equipped,
by pressing the top button on the indicator.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you could be burned.
Do not drive with it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on
page 6-7, and be sure to use the transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-14.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
5-27

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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.A cold uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for ve minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the uid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
uid hot before adding uid. Checking the uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the uid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
5-28

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-14.
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 does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-14.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on
page 6-7, and be sure to use the transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-14.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
5-30