2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO steering

{CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to,
any airbag when it inates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer the best protection for adults, but
not for young children and infants. Neither the
vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag
system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle. To read how,
seeOlder Children on page 1-30andInfants
and Young Children on page 1-32.
There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag
symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-34
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.
1-64

The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not inate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
1-65

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash.
The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inator, which inates the airbag. The inator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But airbags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those
airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After an airbag inates, it quickly deates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the airbag inated.
Some components of the airbag module – the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, or the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s bag – will be hot for a short
time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deated airbags. Airbag ination does not prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.In many crashes severe enough to inate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.Airbags are designed to inate only once. After they
inate, you will need some new parts for your
airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after
a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders on page 7-9.
Let only qualied technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer for service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
airbag module in the steering wheel or both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break
the airbag coverings.
1-69

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in.
If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while
you turn the key hard. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.A (Lock):This position locks your ignition when the key
is removed. The steering locks when equipped with a
manual transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when
the ignition is turned to LOCK
B (Accessory):This position allows you to use things
like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK will lock the steering column and
result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to
turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to ACCESSORY. Do not
press the key release button while the vehicle
is moving.
C (Run):This is the position for driving.
D (Start):This position starts your engine.
2-22

Engine Coolant Heater
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord.
This will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18 C°) as
noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment, near the power steering uid
reservoir. If you have a diesel engine, refer to
diesel supplement for location.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you
contact your dealer in the area where you will be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
2-25

OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has steering wheel controls, they can be
used to interact with the OnStar®personal calling
feature.
Press the control with
this symbol on the
steering wheel to make
a phone call.
When calling into voice mail systems, or to dial directory
numbers, press the control, say the number(s), then
say “dial.”
See the OnStar
®user’s guide for more information.
HomeLink®Wireless Control
System
HomeLink®, a combined universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three
hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems, and home lighting. Additional
HomeLink
®information can be found on the Internet at
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
2-70

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-41
Traction Off Light..........................................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-42
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-42
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-44
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-46
Security Light...............................................3-47
Cruise Control Light......................................3-47
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-48
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-48
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-48
Overdrive Disable
(Allison Transmission
®Only)........................3-48
Fuel Gage...................................................3-49
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-49
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-54
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-63Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-69
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-70
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-70
Radio with CD..............................................3-73
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-83
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-98
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-112
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-122
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-124
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-124
Radio Reception.........................................3-125
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-125
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-126
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-127
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-127
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-127
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-127
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2