2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO mirror

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.If you have the Traction Assist System (TAS), remember:
It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. SeeTraction
Assist System (TAS) on page 4-8. If you do not have this
system, or if the system is off, then an acceleration skid is
also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may
not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface — and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-19

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-35

At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to
move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
4-40

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-41

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-56. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-20.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
While towing a trailer or when exposed to long periods
of sunshine, the oor of the truck bed may become
very warm. Avoid putting items in the truck bed
that might be affected by high ambient temperatures.
4-90

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-60
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-58
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-58
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-67
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-64
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-68
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors...................2-67
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-68
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-63
Outside Power Camper-Type.........................2-66
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-66
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-65
Outside West Coast-Type Mirrors...................2-65
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-61
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-17
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-33
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-20
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-17Oil
Engine.......................................................5-20
Pressure Gage............................................3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-23
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-68
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-67
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-64
Convex Mirror.............................................2-68
Curb View Assist Mirrors..............................2-67
Heated Mirrors............................................2-68
Manual Mirrors............................................2-63
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-66
Power Mirrors.............................................2-65
West Coast-Type Mirrors..............................2-65
Outside Power Camper-Type Mirror...................2-66
Overdrive Disable...........................................3-48
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-40
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-11
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
PPark (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-52
Shifting Out of............................................2-54
9

Parking
Brake........................................................2-51
Over Things That Burn.................................2-55
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-55
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-73
Passing.........................................................4-17
Passlock
®......................................................2-21
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab....................4-63
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-19
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.......................................5-123
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Seat ............................................................ 1-4
Steering Fluid.............................................5-46
Windows....................................................2-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
Q
QUADRASTEER™..........................................4-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radios..........................................................3-69
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-70
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-125Radios (cont.)
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-127
Care of Your CDs and DVDs .......................3-126
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-83
Radio with CD............................................3-73
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-98
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-122
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-70
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-69
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-124
Understanding Reception............................3-125
Rear Axle......................................................5-58
Locking......................................................4-12
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Doors....................................................2-14
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-122
Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-112
Rear Seat Operation...................................1-8, 1-9
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-24
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-60
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display . . . 2-58
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-58
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-14
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-49
10