2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO traction control

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

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Button. SeeDome Lamps on page 3-17.
B. Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-13.
C. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Electronic Transfer Case/
Traction Assist System (TAS). SeeFour-Wheel Drive
on page 2-37andTraction Assist System (TAS)
on page 4-8.
E. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. Gearshift Lever (Automatic Transmission).
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26
orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-32
for manual transmissions.
H. Tow/Haul Selector and Overdrive Disable
(Allison Transmission
®Only) Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-30.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-69.
J. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20,Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-22andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-24.
K. Instrument Panel Fuse Block.Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 5-124.
L. Cargo Lamp Button. SeeCargo Lamp on page 3-19.M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
N. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50
orAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
O. Center Instrument Panel Block. SeeCenter
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-126.
P. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-51.
Q. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
R. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-19, andAshtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-20.
S. Storage Area. SeeFront Storage Area on page 2-75.
T. Ashtray. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-20.
U. Manual Selectable Ride Control (If Equipped).
SeeManual Selectable Ride on page 4-11.
V. 4-Wheel Steer Button (If Equipped).
SeeQUADRASTEER™ on page 4-14.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Switch (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-70.
X. Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp on page 3-17.
Y. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-75.
3-5

If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The cruise symbol on the
instrument panel will
illuminate when the cruise
control is engaged.
3-11

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service. See your GM dealer.
SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the battery
charging system, this message will appear on the
DIC. Under certain conditions, the battery warning light
may also turn on in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeBattery Warning Light on page 3-38. The battery
will not be charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle
will lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however you should have
the electrical system checked by your GM dealer.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped,
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle is not equipped with the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL
If a problem occurs with the suspension system, this
message will appear on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display.
If this message is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the air suspension system
needs service. See your GM dealer.
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly, this
message may appear along with the check engine
light on the instrument panel cluster. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-44. Reinstall the fuel cap
fully. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-10. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn this light and message off.
TRACTION ACTIVE
When the traction control system had detected that
any of the vehicle’s wheels are slipping, the traction
control system will activate and this message will appear
on the DIC. SeeTraction Assist System (TAS) on
page 4-8for more information.
3-61

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Assist System (TAS)...........................4-8
Manual Selectable Ride.................................4-11
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
QUADRASTEER™........................................4-14
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-17
Passing.......................................................4-17
Loss of Control.............................................4-19
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-20
Driving at Night............................................4-35
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-36
City Driving..................................................4-38Freeway Driving...........................................4-39
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-40
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-41
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-42
Winter Driving..............................................4-44
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-48
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-48
Recovery Hooks (Except SS Model)................4-49
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-50
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-56
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-61
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-63
Towing..........................................................4-63
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-63
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-63
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-69
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-69
Power Take-Off (PTO).................................4-101
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-8.
4-5

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Assist System (TAS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Assist System (TAS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
4-8

The traction control system is enabled every time your
vehicle is started. The system will activate if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction.
You may hear or feel the system working or notice a
lack of accelerator response, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal and
doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration
in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of the
transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
When the traction off light
is on, the TAS is off and
will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.The traction off light will come on under the following
conditions:
The Traction Assist System is turned off, either by
pressing the TAS on/off button, located on the
instrument panel, or by turning off the automatic
engagement feature of the TAS.
The transmission is in FIRST (1); TAS will not
operate in this gear. This is normal.
The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road.
When the vehicle leaves the rough surface, slows
down or stops, the light will go off and TAS will turn
on again. This is normal.
A Traction Assist System, Anti-Lock Brake System
or engine-related problem has been detected and
the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle has been driven with the TAS system
on for long periods of time, or if the vehicle has
gone through many several high speed braking
maneuvers the system may be automatically
disabled. The system will automatically re-enable
after approximately two minutes of not using
the brakes.
SeeTraction Off Light on page 3-41.
4-9