2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO towing

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-13
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Airbag System
.........................................1-71
Restraint System Check
............................1-88
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-20
Mirrors
....................................................2-56
OnStar
®System
......................................2-69
Universal Home Remote System
................2-71
Storage Areas
.........................................2-75
Sunroof
..................................................2-78
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-79
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-51
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-70Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-61
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-6
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-56
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-58
Front Axle
...............................................5-60
Noise Control System
...............................5-61
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-73
Tires
......................................................5-74
Appearance Care
...................................5-116
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-124
Electrical System
....................................5-125
Capacities and Specications
...................5-134
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-13
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Chevrolet Silverado Owner ManualM

Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger
sensing system. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-87for more
information about modications that can affect how the
system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. You do not want the system to
inate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-14.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-86

Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-67for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
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.
2-20

PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily. If your
vehicle has the Allison Transmission
®, with the Power
Takeoff (PTO), use PARK (P) when starting. The
Allison Transmission
®has a park pawl that is designed
to hold the weight of commercial medium duty trucks.
Therefore, the Allison Transmission
®uses larger
parts than other automatic transmissions. These
larger parts may sometimes make a clunk noise when
the selector lever is moved from DRIVE (D) or
REVERSE (R) to PARK (P). This is normal and there
is no damage occurring during these shifts. When
parked on a hill, especially when loaded, you may notice
an increase in the effort to shift out of Park. See
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) underShifting
Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-50for
more information.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-50. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.
2-25

By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next gear
and has more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission
®, it will shift
into rst range when DRIVE (D) is selected. As
vehicle speed increases, the transmission will upshift
automatically through each available range up to
SIXTH (6). As the vehicle slows, the transmission will
downshift automatically.
The Allison Transmission
®uses a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission shifting to
the current driving conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is
designed to determine before making an upshift if the
engine will be able to maintain vehicle speed by
analyzing things such as throttle position, vehicle load,
and hill grade. If the shift stabilization feature
determines that current vehicle speed cannot be
maintained, the transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear. In some cases, this may
appear to be a delayed shift, however the transmission
is operating normally.The Allison Transmission
®also uses adaptive shift
controls. Adaptive shift controls continually compares
key shift parameters to pre-programmed ideal shift
conditions. The Allison Transmission
®constantly makes
adjustments to improve vehicle performance according
to the way the vehicle is being used, such as with a
heavy load. During this adaptive shift controls process,
some shifts may feel different as the transmission
determines optimum settings for a particular shift.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, is available on
vehicles with the Allison Transmission
®. It lets drivers
select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If your vehicle has this feature, see
Range Select Mode (Allison Transmission
®) later in this
section.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
however it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
2-27

Tow/Haul Mode
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it may
have a Tow/Haul mode. If your vehicle has an Allison
Transmission
®see “Tow/Haul Mode (Allison
Transmission®) following. Tow/Haul mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling,
providing increased performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.
The selector button is located on the end of the shift
lever. Turn the Turn Tow/Haul on and off by pressing the
button. When the Tow/Haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-49for more
information.If your vehicle is equipped with the Performance
Package-Enhanced Towing, activating the manual
selectable ride will adjust the shock absorber
characteristics to enhance the ride and handling of the
vehicle for towing or hauling heavy loads.
Also see Tow Haul Mode underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode (Allison Transmission®)
If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission®,itmay
have a Tow/Haul mode. Tow/Haul mode adjusts
the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling,
providing increased performance, vehicle control,
and transmission cooling when towing or hauling
heavy loads.
2-30

The selector button is located on the end of the shift
lever. Turn the Turn Tow/Haul on and off by pressing the
button. When the Tow/Haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-49for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67for more information.
Grade Braking and Cruise Grade
Braking (Allison Transmission®)
Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking assists when
driving on a downhill grade. It maintains the vehicle’s
speed by automatically implementing a shift schedule
that uses the engine and the transmission to slow
the vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes system
and increases control of the vehicle. The system
constantly monitors the vehicle’s speed, acceleration,
engine torque, and brake pedal usage. It detects
when the truck is on a downhill grade and the driver’s
desire to slow down by pressing the brake.Cruise Grade Braking is available on the 6.6L
DURAMAX
®diesel engine. Cruise Grade Braking
monitors a vehicle’s cruise state, engine torque,
acceleration, vehicle speed, and the cruise set speed.
Using this information, it detects when the truck is
accelerating on a downhill grade and will automatically
downshift to slow the vehicle if it exceeds the cruise
set speed by a certain amount.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
The Tow/Haul mode and Grade Braking shift modes
can be activated by pressing the button on the front
of the shift control stalk. If your vehicle has the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine or the 8.1L VORTEC™
gasoline engine, Grade Braking is only available while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected. While in the Range
Selection Mode, Grade Braking is deactivated allowing
the driver to select a desired gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-24for
more information.
Also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67for more
information.
2-31

Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 6.0L V8 Engine)
Here is how to operate
your transmission.
FIRST (1) is intended only for heavy loads or trailer
towing and is not recommended for normal driving.
During the rst 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use, start
your vehicle moving in FIRST (1). This allows clutch
components to break-in properly.
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal. Shift into FIRST (1)
only when the vehicle is below 5 mph (8 km/h). If you
try to shift down into FIRST (1) at excessive vehicle
speeds, the shift lever will not move into FIRST (1)
until vehicle speed is reduced.SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into SECOND (2) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the
shift lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into
SECOND (2). If you try to downshift into SECOND (2) at
excessive vehicle speeds, the shift lever will not move
into the SECOND (2) position until the vehicle speed
is reduced.
THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):Shift into the higher
forward gears the same way you do for THIRD (3).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
2-32