2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO automatic transmission

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the vehicle starts in any other position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-50.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
6-12

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-13

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a
gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the maintenance schedule section in the DURAMAX
®
Diesel manual.
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-29.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Floor Shift
LinkageLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in
Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Axle
(1500 Series) -
Four-Wheel
DriveSAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021671, in
Canada 89021672).
Front Axle
(1500 HD,
1500 AWD,
2500, 2500 HD,
and
3500 Series)SAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678) meeting GM
Specication 9986115.
6-14

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678) meeting GM
Specication 9986115.
Transfer Case
(Four-Wheel
Drive)DEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Front Axle
Propshaft
Spline or
One-Piece
Propshaft
Spline
(Two-Wheel
Drive with
4-Speed Auto.
Trans.)Spline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511) or lubricant
meeting requirements of
GM 9985830.
Rear Driveline
Center SplineChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Body Door
Hinge Pins,
Tailgate Hinge
and Linkage,
Folding Seats,
and Fuel Door
HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Tailgate Handle
Pivot Points,
Hinges, Latch
Bolt, and
LinkageMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with
Teon, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12371287, in
Canada 10953437).
6-15

Audio System.................................................3-84
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-132
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-134
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual............................3-120
Radio Reception........................................3-133
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-130
Setting the Clock.........................................3-86
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-132
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-134
Audio System(s).............................................3-88
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-19
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................5-22, 5-26
Operation...................................................2-28
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-20
B
Battery..........................................................5-46
Electric Power Management..........................3-22
Run-Down Protection...................................3-23
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-43
System Warning Light..................................3-46
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22Bulb Replacement...........................................5-61
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp............................................5-63
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-61
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-58
Headlamps.................................................5-62
License Plate Lamps....................................5-66
Pickup Box Identication and Fender Marker
Lamps ....................................................5-64
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-66
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-64
Buying New Tires...........................................5-86
C
Calibration.............................................2-56, 2-58
California Fuel.................................................. 5-7
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-133
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-13, 2-54, 4-31
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-117
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-22
Cargo Management System.............................2-80
CD, MP3 ............................................3-108, 3-114
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-79
2

E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-125
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-128
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-125
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-126
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-125
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-129
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-125
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-20
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-20
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-49
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-48
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-54
Fan Noise..................................................5-40
Fast Idle System.........................................2-25
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-34Engine (cont.)
Overheating................................................5-32
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-21
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-21
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-35
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-17
F
Fast Idle System............................................2-25
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-122
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-134
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-11
Flat Tire........................................................5-93
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-94
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-110
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-22, 5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-41
Windshield Washer......................................5-42
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-20
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-53
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-36, 5-54
5

Tires (cont.)
Dual Tire Operation.....................................5-77
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-93
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-76
Inspection and Rotation................................5-83
Installing the Spare Tire..............................5-100
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-79
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-78
Removing the Flat Tire...............................5-100
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-95
Secondary Latch System............................5-106
Spare Tire................................................5-113
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..........5-110
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-69
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-89
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-90
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-90
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-86
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-34
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-54Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-50
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-55
Your Vehicle...............................................4-50
Traction
Stabilitrak
®System........................................ 4-6
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-93
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic..................................5-22, 5-26
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-28
Trip Odometer................................................3-38
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-47
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-9
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............2-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-89
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-71
Operation...................................................2-71
Using this Manual............................................... iii
14