2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO automatic transmission

Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Turn the transfer case dial to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the NEUTRAL light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator light has
stopped ashing could damage the transfer case.
To help avoid damaging your vehicle, always
wait for the mode indicator lights to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the
shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case
from possible damage and will only allow the transfer
case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer
case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob
is located next to the
steering column.
For information on StabiliTrak
®, seeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6.
Use the dial to shift into and out of Four-Wheel Drive.
You can choose among ve driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do not come
on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for
service. An indicator light will ash while shifting the
transfer case. It will remain illuminated when the shift is
complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot
make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen
setting.
2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):This setting is used
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for driving in most street and highway situations. The
front axle is not engaged in Two-Wheel Drive.
This setting also provides the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are
variable. When driving your vehicle in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent only to
the front and rear wheels automatically based on driving
conditions. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower
fuel economy than Two-Wheel-Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel-Drive High):Use the
Four-Wheel-Drive High position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road
situations. This setting also engages the front axle to help
drive your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low):This setting also
engages the front axle and delivers extra torque.
You may never need this setting. It sends maximum
power to all four wheels. You might choose
Four-Wheel-Drive Low if you are driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, deep snow, and while climbing
or descending steep hills. StabiliTrak
®will not engage
in this mode. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6for
more information.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-50.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case
to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-50orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-50for more information.
If the SERVICE 4–Wheel Drive message stays on, you
should take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
See “Service 4–Wheel Drive message” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
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Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive High or
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive High or AUTO
position. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel-Drive Low, and the indicator
light will ash while shifting. It will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage
or shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in RUN and the vehicle must be stopped
or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission
in NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for shifting intoFour-Wheel-Drive Low is to have your vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the
Four-Wheel-Drive Low position. You must wait for the
Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light to stop ashing
and remain on before shifting your transmission in gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator light has
stopped ashing could damage the transfer case.
To help avoid damaging your vehicle, always
wait for the mode indicator lights to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from NEUTRAL with the engine running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low
position when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving,
the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light will ash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your
vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to Four-Wheel-Drive High mode.
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C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-56.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-37.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34. Range Selection
Mode (Allison Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®
6-Speed Button (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-84.
H. Instrument Panel Storage Area. SeeInstrument
Panel Storage on page 2-78.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
L. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob.
SeeDome Lamps on page 3-21. Fog Lamp Button
(If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on page 3-20.
N. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-13.O. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-8.
P. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-132.
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-24.
T. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
Disable Button (If Equipped). SeeUltrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-64. Pedal
Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-26. Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button (If Equipped).Windshield
Washer on page 3-12.
U. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23.
V. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control System
(With Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25orClimate
Control System (Heater Only) on page 3-28andDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-29.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped).
See Power Take Off (PTO) in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-78.
Y. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-78.
3-5

E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-56.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-84.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55.
K. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob.
SeeDome Lamps on page 3-21.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
N. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
O. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-13.
P. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-8.
Q. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.R. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-132.
S. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
(With Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25orClimate
Control System (Heater Only) on page 3-28or
Dual Automatic Climate Controls (If Equipped).
SeeDual Automatic Climate Control System
on page 3-29.
T. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23. Cigarette Lighter
(If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-24.
U. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal on page 2-26. Rear Park Assist Disable Button
(If Equipped). SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) on page 2-64. Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-12.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-78.
W. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-78.
3-7

When the brakes are applied, cruise control is
turned off.
For vehicles with an Allison
®automatic transmission,
see “Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking (Allison
Transmission) underTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34
for an explanation of how cruise control interacts with
the Range Selection Mode, tow/haul and grade braking
systems.
For vehicles with the StabiliTrak
®system that begins
to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise control, the
cruise control will automatically disengage.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When road
conditions allow the cruise control to be safely used
again, it can be turned back on.The cruise control buttons
are located on left side of
the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and turn
off the system. The indicator light is on when cruise
control is on and turns off when cruise control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make the
vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
SET−(Set/Coast):Press to set the speed or make
the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise control without
erasing the set speed from memory.
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2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
When the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is
on, the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
stay on for 10 minutes before automatically turning off to
prevent the battery from being drained. Turn the
headlamp control to off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when the headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition
is off and a door is open. To disable the chime, turn
the light off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps
control to the OFF position and then release. For
vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission must be
in the PARK (P) position, before the DRL lamps can
be turned off.
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Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp
system will turn on the headlamps at the normal
brightness, along with the taillamps, sidemarker, parking
lamps, and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights
will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release
it. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the PARK (P) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Be sure it is not
covered, or the headlamps will come on whenever
the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp
systems so that driving under bridges or bright
overhead street lights does not affect the system.The DRL and automatic headlamp system will only be
affected when the light sensor detects a change in
lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that
delay, the instrument panel cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-21.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp system
off, turn the control to the off position.
The headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. This feature can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-76.
The regular headlamp system can be turned on
when needed.
3-19