2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO check engine

This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-33for more
information.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. SeeEngine Oil
Life System (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-23,Engine
Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20, andScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for more
information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this message
will appear on the DIC, a chime will sound, and the
battery warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Driving with this problem could drain your
battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and
turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Have the electrical system checked by your GM dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on page 3-39
andVoltmeter Gage on page 3-39for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil level
in the vehicle is low, this message will appear on
the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as necessary.
You may need to let the vehicle cool or warm up and
cycle the ignition to be sure this message will clear.
Once the problem is corrected, pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 5-20for additional information.
3-56

CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-47. Adding washer uid to the windshield washer
reservoir will clear the message. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
If the driver’s door is not fully closed, this message
will appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of
the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer
reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Turn off the air conditioning. If the
message is still on, or if the engine coolant temperature
gage continues to rise, pull the vehicle over when it is
safe to do so. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-43for more information. Stop the vehicle and let
the engine idle in PARK (P) for a few minutes, or
NEUTRAL with the parking brake set for manual
transmissions, to allow the coolant to reach a safe
temperature. This message will clear when the coolant
temperature drops to safe operating temperature.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-37for more information.
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message will clear when the engine
has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
3-57

FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on the
DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as
possible. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light on page 3-50,
Fuel Gage on page 3-50, andFuel on page 5-6.
KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW
If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this
message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery
Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-5. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)
If the driver’s side rear door is not fully closed, this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door
for obstacles and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any
of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer
reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
in the Index for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If your vehicle has a low coolant level sensor, this
message will appear on the DIC if the engine coolant
level is low. Adding coolant to the coolant recovery
tank will clear the message. SeeCooling System
on page 5-40. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
3-58

OIL LIFE RESET
This message will appear on the display for about
10 seconds after resetting the change engine oil
message. See “Engine Oil Life System” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-52andEngine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20for more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20for
more information.
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be
displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate
it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer. SeeEngine
Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
If the passenger’s door is not fully closed, this message
will appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of
the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer
reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
RANGE SHIFT INHIBITED
(Allison Transmission®Only)
If the transmission is unable to shift into a selected
gear, this message will appear on the DIC. The
electronic shift position indicator on the instrument panel
cluster may blink when this occurs. To make the
vehicle shift to the requested gear, you may have to
shift back to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and re-select
the desired gear.
3-59

REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message is displayed when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters
the engine coolant protection mode. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37for further information.
This message will also display when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to
your GM dealer for service as soon as possible.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)
If the passenger’s side rear door is not fully closed,
this message will appear on the display and you
will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstacles and close the door again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display. If
your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE 4WD (Four-Wheel-Drive)
If a problem occurs with the four-wheel-drive system,
this message will appear 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
four-wheel-drive system needs service. See your
GM dealer.
SERVICE AIRBAG
If there is a problem with the airbag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have your
GM dealer inspect the system for problems. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-33andAirbag System on
page 1-71for more information. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
3-60

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 3-39. 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 will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing
the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
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. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-45. Fully reinstall the fuel cap.
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
the 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. For more information, seeTraction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-9.
TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
If the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot,
this message will appear on the DIC along with a
continuous chime. Driving with the transmission uid
temperature high can cause damage to the vehicle. Stop
the vehicle and let it idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message will clear and the chime will
stop when the uid temperature reaches a safe level.
SeeTransmission Temperature Gage on page 3-43.
3-62

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a safer
driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
By taking a few moments to read this manual and
get familiar with your vehicle’s audio system, you can
use it with less effort, as well as take advantage of
its features. While your vehicle is parked, set up your
audio system by presetting your favorite radio stations,
setting the tone and adjusting the speakers. Then,
when driving conditions permit, you can tune to your
favorite stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
3-70

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-4.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-42.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights will come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights
and chime will come on each time the ignition is turned
on until the problem is repaired. See your dealer for
service.
4-7