2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO power steering

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.
Key Release Button
(Manual Transmission)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicles unless the
key release button is used.
To remove the key on manual transmission vehicles, turn
the key to ACCESSORY, then press the button and turn
the key to LOCK. Do not hold the button in while turning
the key to ACCESSORY. Pull the key straight out.
2-21

When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0°F or−18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briey but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.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.
2-23

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-17.
B. Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-13.
C. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Electronic Transfer
Case/Traction Assist System (TAS). SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-36andTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-9.
E. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
G. Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
®only)
Button (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
H. Gearshift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24orManual Transmission
Operation on page 2-32for manual transmissions.
I. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped). See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-30.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-70.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20,Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-21andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-24.L. Instrument Panel Fuse Block.Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 5-126.
M. Cargo Lamp Button. SeeCargo Lamp on page 3-18.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
O. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-51or
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-127.
P. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeCenter
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-128.
Q. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-49.
R. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
S. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-19.
T. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
U. Manual Selectable Ride Control (If Equipped). See
Manual Selectable Ride on page 4-11.
V. Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp on page 3-16.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Switch (If Equipped). See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-78.
X. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-75.
3-5

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Assist System (TAS)...........................4-9
Manual Selectable Ride.................................4-11
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-33
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-34
City Driving..................................................4-37
Freeway Driving...........................................4-38Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-39
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-40
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-40
Winter Driving..............................................4-42
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-46
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-46
Recovery Hooks (Except SS Model)................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-48
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-54
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-59
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-61
Towing..........................................................4-61
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-61
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-62
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-67
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-95
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-95
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Remember: ABS 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 ABS.
Using ABS
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 ABS, 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.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. See
Cruise 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.
4-9

FIRM (Loaded):Press the button to activate this
setting, the indicator light will be lit. Use this setting to
minimize trailer inputs to the vehicle or when the vehicle
is fully loaded. This setting is also appropriate for
off-road driving.
You can select a setting at any time based on road and
trailering conditions to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the
time, but when one of the rear wheels has no traction
and the other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
4-12

Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use a low gear and get a rm grip on the steering
wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Do not use more power than you
need, because you do not want your wheels to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up
hills, always try to go straight up.
Ease up on your speed as you approach the top of
the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to make you more
visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill
to let opposing traffic know you are there.
Use your headlamps even during the day. They
make you more visible to oncoming traffic.
{CAUTION:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed
can cause an accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another
vehicle. You could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
4-25

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-20
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines).....5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ....................5-27Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) ...............................5-30
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-32
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-34
Engine Coolant.............................................5-35
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only)......................................5-40
Cooling System............................................5-40
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-45
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-47
Brakes........................................................5-48
Battery........................................................5-51
Jump Starting...............................................5-52
Rear Axle.......................................................5-56
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-58
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-61
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1