2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO tow

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 3-48.
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.
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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 (Gasoline
Engine) 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.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
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Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups have an
eight-wire trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is clipped to the vehicle’s frame behind the
spare tire mount. The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is available through
your dealer.If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you can
get a jumper harness (electric trailer brake control)
with a trailer battery feed fuse from your dealer.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a standard
four-way round pin connector, you can also get an
adapter from your dealer.
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All engine speed values listed above are factory preset
values. With the exception of the TCC lockup speed
(1,100 rpm) and the “tap” increment (100 rpm), all
of these values are programmable and can be adjusted
by your dealer or body uptter. If the PTO software
settings do not match the settings shown here, then they
may have already been altered in order to satisfy the
requirements of the installed PTO system and body
equipment.
When the PTO switch is turned on, the engine is limited
to 2,200 rpms. If there are no accessories installed
on the vehicle, make sure the PTO switch is turned off.Step-Bumper Pad
Your vehicle has a rear step bumper with a rear step
pad at the center of the bumper.
If you will be using the
bumper to tow a trailer,
and your step-bumper has
three cutout circles, you
must push out the
center cutout circle to
install the trailer ball.
If your step-bumper has only one cutout circle, you will
have to cut out the circle, then remove it to install
the trailer ball.
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Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil” in
the DURAMAX®Diesel Engine Supplement.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster (except vehicles equipped with the
4.3L engine), it means you need to check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, seeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 3-50.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transmission dipstick
handle with this graphic is
located at the rear of
the engine compartment,
on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The uid level must be in the COLD area,
below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in
the HOT or cross-hatched area for a hot check.
Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using the
procedure described previously. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining proper uid level.
If inconsistent readings persist, check the transmission
breather hose to be sure it is clean and unclogged.
If readings are still inconsistent, contact your dealer.
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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.
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, run the engine
for at least once minute and shift to DRIVE (D).
Then shift to NEUTRAL (N) and then REVERSE (R)
to ll the hydraulic system. Then, position the
shift lever in PARK (P).
Allow the engine to run at idle (500–800 rpm).
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
Cold Check Procedure
The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the
transmission has enough uid to be operated safely until
a hot check can be made. The uid level rises as uid
temperature increases. Do not ll above the COLD
CHECK band if the transmission uid is below normal
operating temperatures.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check the uid level reading. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
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4. If the uid level is within the COLD CHECK band,
the transmission may be operated until the uid is
hot enough to perform a hot check. If the uid
level is not within the COLD CHECK band, add or
drain uid as necessary to bring the level into
the middle of the COLD CHECK band.
5. Perform a hot check at the rst opportunity after the
normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to
200°F (93°C) is reached.
6. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Hot Check Procedure
The uid must be hot to ensure an accurate check.
The uid level rises as the temperature increases.
1. Operate the transmission in DRIVE (D) range until
the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C)
to 200°F (93°C) is reached.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
4. Safe operating level is within the HOT RUN band
on the dipstick. The width of the HOT RUN band
represents approximately 1.06 quart (1.0 liter)
of uid at normal operating temperature.
5. If the uid level is not within the HOT RUN band,
add or drain uid as necessary to bring the uid
level to within the HOT RUN band.
6. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using the
procedures described previously. Consistency
(repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper
uid level. If inconsistent readings persist, check the
transmission breather to be sure it is clean and
unclogged. If readings are still inconsistent, contact
your dealer.
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