2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO transmission

Shifting In or Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low while moving at speeds
faster than 3 mph (5 km/h) may cause premature
wear to the transfer case, and may cause the gears
to grind. To avoid causing premature wear, and
grinding the gears, do not shift the transfer case into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low while the vehicle is moving
faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low should be done, if
possible, with the vehicle at a slight roll, 3 mph (5 km/h)
or less.
Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the
vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in Neutral. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-50.
Shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low with the vehicle
at a stop may be more difficult. You may be unable
to complete the shift to Four-Wheel-Drive Low,
and the transfer case will end up in N (Neutral). This
is normal, and is a function of the gear teeth
aligning in the transfer case. When this happens,
make sure the engine is on, shift the transmission
momentarily to D (Drive) and back to N (Neutral),
and then complete the transfer case shift.
Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous
motion into the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low do not drive faster
than 45 mph. This will reduce wear and extend
the life of your transfer case.
Shifting In or Out of Neutral
1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle
set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission into N (Neutral).
Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion into or
out of the N (Neutral) position.
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4m(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 while 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.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Parking Brake on page 2-50.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-46orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-45for more information.
If the SERVICE 4–Wheel Drive message stays on, you
should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service. See “Service 4–Wheel Drive message” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
2-42

Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. See Shifting Out of
Four-Wheel-Drive Low for more information.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage
or shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn
the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator
light to stop ashing and remain on before shifting
the transmission in gear.Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from transfer case N (Neutral) with the engine
running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low
position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the
Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light will ash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift unless the vehicle
is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission
is in N (Neutral). After 30 seconds the transfer case
will shift to Four-Wheel-Drive High mode.
2-43

Shifting Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
To shift from Four-Wheel-Drive Low to Four-Wheel-Drive
High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High, the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition in
ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of
Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have the vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the
Four-Wheel-Drive High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High
position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light to stop
ashing and remain on before shifting the transmission
into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from transfer case N (Neutral) with the engine
running.If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive High, or
Two-Wheel-Drive High switch position when the vehicle
is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light will ash
for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift unless
your vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in N (Neutral).
Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the
regular brake pedal. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-50for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral)
until it stops and hold it there until the Neutral light
starts blinking. This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the dial to the four low position.
The N (Neutral) light will come on when the
transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
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7. If the engine is running, verify that the transfer case
is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY, which will
turn the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift the transfer case out of N (Neutral) do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off,
and shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
3. Turn the transfer case dial to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral),
the N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to
enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the
transfer case from possible damage and will only allow
the transfer case to respond to one shift per
10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for
up to three minutes.
2-45

{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Parking Brake on page 2-50.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-46orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-45for more information.
If the SERVICE 4–Wheel Drive message stays on, you
should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service. See “Service 4–Wheel Drive message” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive High or
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive High or AUTO
position. This can be done at any speed, except
when shifting from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator
light will ash while shifting. It will remain on when
the shift is completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator light will ash
while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage
or shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn
the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
2-47

You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator
light to stop ashing and remain on before shifting
the transmission into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from N (Neutral) with the engine running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low
position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the
Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light will ash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift unless the vehicle
is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission
is in N (Neutral). After 30 seconds the transfer case
will shift to Four-Wheel-Drive High mode.
Shifting Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
To shift from Four-Wheel-Drive Low to Four-Wheel-Drive
High, AUTO or Two-Wheel-Drive High, the vehicle
must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h)
with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignitionin ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of
Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have the vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the
Four-Wheel-Drive High, AUTO or Two-Wheel-Drive High
position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive
High, AUTO or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light to
stop ashing and remain on before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from N (Neutral) with the engine running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
AUTO, or Two-Wheel-Drive High switch position
when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the
Four-Wheel-Drive High, AUTO or Two-Wheel-Drive High
indicator light will ash for 30 seconds but will not
complete the shift unless the vehicle is moving less than
3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission is in N (Neutral).
2-48

Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will
not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal. SeeParking Brake on page 2-50for more
information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Put the transmission in N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral)
until it stops and hold it there until the N (Neutral)
light starts blinking. This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly release the dial to the four
low position. The N (Neutral) light will come on
when the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is
complete.
7. If the engine is running, make sure that the transfer
case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY, which will
turn the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift out of N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off,
and shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
3. Turn the transfer case dial to Two-Wheel-Drive
High, Four-Wheel-Drive High, AUTO.
After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral),
the N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop ashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
2-49