2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO check engine

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

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-63
Center Seat...................................................1-12
Chains, Tire...................................................5-92
Charging System Light....................................3-45
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-49
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-122
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........1-57, 1-62, 1-66
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-120
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-118
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-115
Finish Care...............................................5-119Cleaning (cont.)
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-117
Interior.....................................................5-114
Leather....................................................5-116
Tires........................................................5-121
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-122
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-118
Weatherstrips............................................5-117
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-120
Climate Control System...........................3-25, 3-28
Dual Automatic............................................3-29
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-35
Clock, Setting.................................................3-86
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass...............................................2-56, 2-58
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-48
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-32
Cooling System..............................................5-35
Cruise Control................................................3-13
Cruise Control Light........................................3-54
Cupholders....................................................2-78
3

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

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-8
Head Restraints..............................................1-11
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-58
Headlamps....................................................5-62
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-61
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-18
Exterior Lamps............................................3-17
Flash-to-Pass..............................................3-11
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-61
High/Low Beam Changer..............................3-10
On Reminder..............................................3-18
Pickup Box Identication and
Fender Marker Lamps...............................5-64
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...................................................3-25, 3-28
Engine Coolant...........................................2-27
Heater...........................................................3-29
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-54
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-30
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
Horn ............................................................... 3-8
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-19
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-39
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-76
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-21
Cluster.......................................................3-37
Overview...............................................3-4, 3-6
Storage Area..............................................2-78
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-47
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
7

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
10