2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO towing

If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle immediately.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle has an
engine-driven cooling fan, push down the accelerator
until the engine speed is about twice as fast as normal
idle speed for at least ve minutes while you are parked.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle has an
electric cooling fan, idle the engine for ve minutes
while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 5-15.
5-34

Engine Fan Noise
If your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan, when
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing, and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages, so
you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the transmission slipping
or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down when
additional cooling is not required and the clutch
disengages.You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
If your vehicle has electric cooling fans, you may hear
the fans spinning at low speed during most everyday
driving. The fans may turn off if no cooling is required.
Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, or if you are operating your
air conditioning system, the fans may change to
high speed and you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and indicates that the cooling system
is functioning properly. The fans will change to low
speed when additional cooling is no longer required.
5-40

(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also see Checking the Restraint Systems
on page 1-88.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, body door hinges,
hood latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, tailgate hinges, tailgate linkage,
tailgate handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door
hinge, locks, and folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be sure vent hose
is unobstructed, clear, and free of debris. During any
maintenance, if a power washer is used to clean
mud and dirt from the underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer case output seals.
High pressure water can overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the transfer case and should
be replaced.(h)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is
over 8600 lbs or if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-29
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing, and condition. Check
that the purge valve, if the vehicle has one, works
properly. Replace as needed.
6-9

(l)Extreme Duty Service: Change transfer case fluid if
the vehicle is mainly driven off-road in four-wheel
drive, or is used for heavy trailer towing. Farming,
mining, forestry, and Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) vehicles meet this definition.
(m)Severe Service: Change transfer case fluid if the
vehicle is mainly used for trailer towing or driven in city
traffic, wet environment, or high ambient temperatures.
(n)Vehicles with diesel engine or with GVWR above
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) only: Inspect shields for damage
or looseness. Adjust or replace as required. This is
a Noise Emission Control Service. Applicable to vehicles
sold in the United States and recommended for
vehicles sold in Canada.
(p)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter or change indicator (if equipped) at each
engine oil change.
(q)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000
Miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
For vehicles with dual wheels, check dual wheel
nut torque. For proper torque, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-133.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
6-10

Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles operated on
a non-public roadway or highway, nes, impound towing
caused by a violation of local, Municipal, State,
Provincial, or Federal law, and mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Chevrolet and General Motors of Canada Limited
reserve the right to make any changes or discontinue
the Roadside Assistance program at any time without
notication.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service, contact
your dealer/retailer and request an appointment.
By scheduling a service appointment and advising your
service consultant of your transportation needs, your
dealer/retailer can help minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service
department immediately, keep driving it until it can be
scheduled for service, unless, of course, the problem is
safety-related. If it is, please call your dealership/retailer,
let them know this, and ask for instructions.If the dealer/retailer requests that you simply drop the
vehicle off for service, you are urged to do so as early in
the work day as possible to allow for the same day repair.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and our
participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy
Transportation, a customer support program for vehicles
with the Bumper to Bumper (Base Warranty Coverage
period in Canada) and extended powertrain warranty
in both the U.S. and Canada.
Several courtesy transportation options are available to
assist in reducing your inconvenience when warranty
repairs are required.
Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. A separate booklet entitled “Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information” furnished with
each new vehicle provides detailed warranty coverage
information.
7-9

Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. There
are signicant differences in the quality of coverage
afforded by various insurance policy terms. Many
insurance policies provide reduced protection to your
GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage repairs
by using aftermarket collision parts. Some insurance
companies will not specify aftermarket collision
parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that
you assure your vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts. If such insurance
coverage is not available from your current insurance
carrier, consider switching to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts. Read
your lease carefully, as you may be charged at the
end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in a crash.
Check to make sure that you are all right. If you are
uninjured, make sure that no one else in your
vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call emergency services
for help. Do not leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of. Move your
vehicle only if its position puts you in danger or you
are instructed to move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the crash.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental
frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the crash.
This will help guard against post-crash legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-7for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s
name, the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
7-12

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-18
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-14
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-49
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Manual Windows............................................2-15Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals...................... 1-6
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-66
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-58
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-56
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-56
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-59
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-62
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-61
Outside Towing Mirrors.................................2-60
MP3 ..................................................3-108, 3-114
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual...............................3-120
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-22
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-57
9

O
Odometer......................................................3-38
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-38
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-52
Pressure Light.............................................3-53
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-67
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-71
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-8
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-35
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-23
Outside
Manual Mirrors............................................2-59
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-62
Power Mirrors.............................................2-61
Towing Mirrors............................................2-60
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode....5-34
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-122
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-51
Shifting Out of............................................2-53
Park Aid........................................................2-64
Park Brake....................................................2-50
Parking
Assist........................................................2-64
Over Things That Burn.................................2-53
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-43
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-81
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-20
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-5
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab....................4-50
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-125
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-24
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Sliding Rear Window....................................2-17
Steering Fluid.............................................5-41
Windows....................................................2-16
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