2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO fuel

When Using the Manual Transfer Case

Shifting should be made using quick motions.
Shifting slowly may make it more difficult to shift.
You may notice that it is harder to shift when the
vehicle is cold. After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
While in Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low
you may experience reduced fuel economy.
Avoid driving in Four-Wheel Drive on clean, dry
pavement. It may cause your tires to wear faster,
make the transfer case harder to shift, and run
noisier.
If the transfer case shifter is in the N (Neutral)
position and you have difficulty reaching the
selected transfer case mode, with the engine
running, shift the transmission momentarily to drive
and then back to N (Neutral). This will realign
the gear teeth in the transfer case and allow you to
complete the shift.
Shifting from Two-Wheel-Drive High to
Four-Wheel-Drive High

Shifts between Two-Wheel-Drive High and
Four-Wheel-Drive High can be made at any vehicle
speed.
Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous
motion into either the Four-Wheel-Drive High
or Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary
to slow or stop the vehicle to shift into
Four-Wheel-Drive High until the vehicle has
warmed up.
While in Four-Wheel-Drive High, the vehicle can
be driven at any posted legal speed limit.
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Electronic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is
located next to the
steering column.
Use the dial to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-46
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-45
You can choose among four driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briey when you turn
on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. An indicator light ashes while
shifting the transfer case and remains illuminated
when the shift is complete. If for some reason the
transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return
to the last chosen setting.
2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations. The
front axle is not engaged in Two-Wheel Drive. This
setting also provides the best fuel economy.
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Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is
located next to the
steering column.
Use the dial to shift into and out of Four-Wheel Drive.
You can choose among ve driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briey when you turn
on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. An indicator light will ash
while shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated
when the shift is complete. If for some reason the
transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return
to the last chosen setting.2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations. The
front axle is not engaged in Two-Wheel Drive. This
setting also provides the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions
are variable. When driving the vehicle in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent only
to the front and rear wheels automatically based
on driving conditions. Driving in this mode results in
slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel-Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel-Drive High):Use the
Four-Wheel-Drive High position when extra traction
is needed, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. This setting also engages the
front axle to help drive the vehicle. This is the best
setting to use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low):This setting also
engages the front axle and delivers extra torque. You
may never need this setting. It sends maximum power to
all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low
if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep
snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
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StabiliTrak®Indicator Light.............................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-44
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-45
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-48
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-49
Security Light...............................................3-50
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-50
Cruise Control Light......................................3-50
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-50
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-51
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-51
Fuel Gage...................................................3-51
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-52
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)................................3-59
DIC Compass..............................................3-63DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-66
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-76
Audio System(s).............................................3-85
Setting the Clock..........................................3-86
Radio(s)......................................................3-88
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or
Six-Disc CD Player).................................3-108
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and DVD
Player)...................................................3-113
XM Radio Messages...................................3-118
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-119
Bluetooth
®.................................................3-119
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-129
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-139
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-140
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-141
Radio Reception.........................................3-141
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-142
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System..............3-142
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument cluster is designed to show how the vehicle is running. It shows how fast the vehicle is going, about
how much fuel the vehicle has and many other things needed to drive safely and economically. For vehicles with
a DURAMAX
®Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information. United States Light Duty Premium version shown. Canada, Uplevel, Base, Heavy Duty Clusters similar.
3-34

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it
stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
For vehicles with a
voltmeter gage, this gage
indicates the battery
voltage when the ignition
is turned on.
When the ignition is on, this gage indicates the battery
voltage.
When the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage can
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading. This is normal. If the vehicle is operating
outside the normal operating range, the charging system
light comes on. SeeCharging System Light on
page 3-41for more information. The voltmeter gage
may also read lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal.
3-41

Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure light, this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started and
provides information
about tire pressures and
the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-66for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If a tire is underinated, inate to the
proper pressure. SeeTires on page 5-65for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes
for about a minute and stays on steady for the remainder
of the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with
every ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-76for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
3-45

If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle.
This system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and Modifications on page 5-4.This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition has been detected.
A misre increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
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