2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-29.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-76. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-94.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-83.
6-11

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

Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX
®diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
High Capacity 15908915 A3085C
Standard 15908916* A3086C*
Oil Filter
4.3L V6 25010792 PF47
4.8L V8; 5.3L V8; 6.0L V8 89017524 PF48
Spark Plugs
4.3L V6 89017883 41-932
4.8L V8; 5.3L V8; 6.0L V8 12571164 41-985
Wiper Blades – 21.6 inches (55.0 cm) 25877402 —
*15908915 (A3085C) high-capacity air cleaner lter may be substituted.
6-16

Engine Drive Belt Routing
(A) Air Conditioning Compressor
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX
®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information. V6 Engines
V8 Engines
6-17

Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the
type of services performed in the boxes provided. SeeMaintenance Requirements on page 6-2. Any additional
information fromOwner Checks and Services on page 6-10can be added on the following record pages. You should
retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
ReadingServiced ByMaintenanceIor
MaintenanceIIServices Performed
6-18