2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO manual transmission

Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 6000 V8 Engine)
Here is how to operate
your transmission.
FIRST (1) is intended only for heavy loads or trailer
towing and is not recommended for normal driving.
During the rst 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use, start
your vehicle moving in FIRST (1). This allows clutch
components to break-in properly.FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal. Shift into FIRST (1)
only when the vehicle is below 5 mph (8 km/h). If you
try to shift down into FIRST (1) at excessive vehicle
speeds, the shift lever will not move into FIRST (1) until
vehicle speed is reduced.
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into SECOND (2) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the
shift lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into
SECOND (2). If you try to downshift into SECOND (2) at
excessive vehicle speeds, the shift lever will not move
into the SECOND (2) position until the vehicle speed
is reduced.
THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
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NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, rst press down the clutch
pedal. Wait for the vehicle to stop moving and then,
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
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.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
when turning off your engine and parking your
vehicle.Six-Speed (VORTEC™ 8100 V8 and
DURAMAX®6600 V8 Engines)
Here is how to operate
your transmission.
This six-speed pattern is unique to GM manual
transmissions. The transmission always repositions the
shift lever to NEUTRAL, which is located between
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) gear.
To prevent unintentional gear selections, additional
force is required to move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R) or FIRST (1). Use FIRST (1) when trailer
towing, driving with payload in the pickup box or
launching on a grade. Otherwise, start in SECOND (2)
gear. Only shift into FIRST (1) when the vehicle has
stopped moving.
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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 clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of time may
cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain.
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel
drive 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.
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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
comes on when you shift
into four-wheel drive
and the front axle engages.
SeeFour-Wheel-Drive
Light on page 3-48.
Some delay between shifting and when the indicator
light comes on is normal.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2H 4H 4L N
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-63or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-63for further
information.
An indicator light near the lever shows you the transfer
case settings:
4L (Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages your
front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need
four-wheel low. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose four-wheel low if you are
driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow, and
while climbing or descending steep hills. When operating
in Four-Wheel Low, the gear ratio provides additional
torque when compared to four-wheel high. The
transmission gear shift feel will be exaggerated.
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{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 2-51.
N (Neutral):Shift to this setting only when your vehicle
needs to be towed. SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing
on page 4-63orTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-63.
2H (Two-Wheel High):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.4H (Four-Wheel High):Use this setting 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.
You can shift from 2H to 4H or 4H high to 2H while the
vehicle is moving. Your front axle will engage faster
if you take your foot off of the accelerator for a couple
of seconds after you shift. In extremely cold weather,
it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle to shift
into four-wheel high.
When Using the Manual Transfer Case

Shifting should be made using quick motions.
Shifting slowly may make it more difficult to shift.
You may notice that it is harder to shift when the
vehicle is cold. After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
While in 4H or 4L you may experience reduced
fuel economy.
Avoid driving in four-wheel drive on clean, dry
pavement. It may cause your tires to wear
faster, and make your transfer case harder to shift
and run noisier.
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Shifting from 2H (Two-Wheel High) to
4H (Four-Wheel High)

Shifts between 2H and 4H can be made at any
vehicle speed.
It is easiest to shift the transfer case when
maintaining a constant speed or a slight acceleration.
If possible, avoid shifting while slowing down, as it
will may make it harder to shift.
Shift your transfer case lever in one continuous
motion into either the 4H or 2H position.
In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to
slow or stop the vehicle to shift into four-wheel high
until your vehicle has warmed up.
While in 4H, your vehicle can be driven at any posted
legal speed limit.
Shifting In or Out of 4L (Four-Wheel Low)
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into four-wheel
low 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 four-wheel low while
the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).Shifts into 4L 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 (N).
Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous
motion into the 4L position.
When in 4L 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 position.
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Shifting Into NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the Two-Wheel High
and Four-Wheel Low buttons for 10 seconds.
The red NEUTRAL light will come on when the
transfer case shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
7. If the engine is running, shift the transmission to
REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the
transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second,
or FIRST (1) for vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, by turning the key to
ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case
shift position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel
High, AUTO 4WD, or Four-Wheel Low).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the red light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. You may start the engine and shift the transmission
to the desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the
shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case
from possible damage and will only allow the transfer
case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer
case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.
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Shifting from Two-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel High
Press and release the Four-Wheel High switch.
This can be done at any speed, and the front axle will
lock automatically with some delay.
Shifting from Four-Wheel High to
Two-Wheel High
Press and release the Two-Wheel High switch.
This can be done at any speed, and the front axle will
unlock automatically with some delay.
It is normal to hear and feel your vehicle’s transfer case
shift into Four-Wheel Low. If you shift with the vehicle
stopped, the indicator light may remain ashing
slowly. It may be necessary to shift the transmission
momentarily into REVERSE (R) and DRIVE (D),
for an automatic transmission, or REVERSE (R) and
FIRST (1) for a manual transmission to have the
light stop ashing.
Shifting from Two-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel High to Four-Wheel Low
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into four-wheel
low 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 four-wheel low while
the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
To shift from Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel Low, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) for an automatic transmission or the
clutch pedal depressed for a manual transmission.
The preferred method for shifting into four-wheel low is
to have your vehicle moving 3 mph (5 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel Low switch.
You must wait for the four-wheel low indicator light
to stop ashing and stay on before shifting your
transmission into gear or releasing the clutch pedal.
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