2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO trailer

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime sounds and the warning light ashes when the
parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at
least 5 mph (8 km/h).
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then pull the bottom edge of the lever,
with the parking brake symbol and located above
the parking brake pedal.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light goes off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55.
2-50

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow. With
four-wheel drive, if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear — not in NEUTRAL. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-50for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position by
pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up
as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not
in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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{CAUTION:
It can be 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 the parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not
in NEUTRAL. Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-51.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-55.
2-55

Outside Towing Mirrors
If the vehicle has trailer towing type mirrors, they can be
adjusted so you can have a clear view of the objects
behind you. Manually pull out the mirror head to extend
it for better visibility when towing a trailer.These mirrors can be manually folded forward or
rearward. The lower portion of the mirror is convex.
A convex mirror’s surface is curved to see more from
the driver seat. The convex mirror can be adjusted
manually to the driver’s preferred position for better
vision.
The vehicle may have outside heated mirrors which
help clear them of condensation, snow, and ice.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to turn the
heated mirrors on or off. Only the upper glass of the
mirror is heated. The lower convex part of the mirror
is not heated. Depending on the vehicle’s features,
see “Rear Window Defogger” under,Climate Control
System (With Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25orClimate
Control System (Heater Only) on page 3-28orDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-29
for more information.
The mirror may also have a turn signal arrow that
ashes in the direction of the turn or lane change.
2-60

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARKING ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on the
rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). This occurs under the following conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and
slush. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 5-118.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the tailgate during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in the
rear display. Once the attached object is removed,
URPA will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press
the OnStar button and they can contact Roadside
Service for you.
OnStar service is provided to you subject to the
OnStar Terms and Conditions. You may cancel your
OnStar service at any time by contacting OnStar.
2-67

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

Reading Lamps
If your vehicle has reading lamps they are located on
the overhead console.
To turn on the reading lamps, press the button
located next to each lamp. To turn them off, press the
button again.
Your vehicle may also have reading lamps in other
locations. To turn the lamps on or off, press the button
located next to the lamp.
If your vehicle has a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) system, press the lamp lenses to turn the lamps
on or off.
The lamps are xed and cannot be adjusted.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamps come on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob to the farthest clockwise
position. This knob is located on the instrument
panel and also turns on the dome lamps.
The cargo lamp can be used if more light is needed
in the cargo area of the vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of
charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up
or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert
will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
3-22