2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO maintenance schedule

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine air cleaner/lter and
the air lter restriction
indicator, if equipped.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air lter restriction
indicator, it lets you know when the engine air
cleaner/lter needs to be replaced. On vehicles with a
restriction indicator, you should inspect the air lter
restriction indicator at every oil change and replace the
engine air cleaner/lter when the indicator tells you to.
On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.SeeScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on
page 6-4for more information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Vehicles With an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
Locate the air lter restriction indicator on the engine air
cleaner/lter cover. When the indicator turns black or
is in the red/orange “change” zone, replace the lter and
reset the indicator. See the steps following to replace
the engine air cleaner/lter and to reset the air lter
restriction indicator.
Vehicles Without an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the engine air
cleaner/lter from the vehicle using the steps following.
When you have the engine air cleaner/lter removed,
lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt. If the
engine air cleaner/lter remains caked with dirt, a new
lter is required.
5-25

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

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.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check Manual
Transmission Fluid
A good time to have your manual transmission uid
checked is when the engine oil is changed. SeeAdditional
Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-7to nd
out when to change your transmission uid.
How to Check Manual
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.
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.
5-33

Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place, and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the uid level is low, add more
uid as described in the next steps.How to Add Manual Transmission Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-14.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only enough
uid to bring the uid level up to the bottom of the
ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
lled with hydraulic clutch uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding uid
will not correct a leak.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired. 5-speed for VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and 4800 V8 engines
shown, other manual transmissions similar
5-34

When to Check and What to Use
The clutch master cylinder
reservoir is located in the
rear of the engine
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the uid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper uid.
SeeOwner Checks and Services on page 6-11and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants (Gasoline Engine)
on page 6-14.
How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it is in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-38.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-35

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check your brake uid. SeeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
5-48

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and may have rear
drum brakes or rear 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.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Rear brake drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
Drum brakes have an inspection hole to inspect lining
wear during scheduled maintenance. When you
have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
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 brakes adjust
for wear.
5-50

All-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. There are two additional systems that need
lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
A. Fill Plug B. Drain PlugTo get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
located on the all-wheel drive transfer case, you’ll need
to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the ller plug hole. Use care
not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-14.
All-Wheel Drive Transfer Case
5-57