2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO engine

Black plate (88,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-88 Driving and Operating
Filling the Tank
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
{WARNING
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near
fuel or when refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep
sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is
against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away
from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on the
driver side of the vehicle. If the
vehicle has E85 fuel capability,
the fuel cap will be yellow and state
that E85 or gasoline can be used.
SeeFuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
on
page 9‑86.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise.
{WARNING
Fuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could
be badly burned. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full,
and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait
for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
If the vehicle is a dual fuel tank
chassis cab model, and it runs out
of fuel, refuel the front fuel tank first
to ensure a quick restart.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait
a few seconds after you have
finished pumping before removing
the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
“Washing the Vehicle” in Exterior
Cleaning.

Black plate (90,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-90 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that
has been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see“Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment
to tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.” For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle
on
page 10‑101. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motorhome, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing
on
page 10‑101.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Pulling a Trailer
Important points for pulling a trailer:
.There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering.
Make sure the rig will be legal,
not only where you live but
also where you will be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state
or provincial police.
.Consider using a sway control.
See “Hitches” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑111.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 800 km (500 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle, or other
parts could be damaged.
.During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over
80 km/h (50 mph) and do
not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other
parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads
and/or hilly conditions.
Important considerations that have
to do with weight:
.Weight of the trailer
.Weight of the trailer tongue
.Weight on the vehicle's tires
.Weight of the trailering
combination

Black plate (91,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-91
Driving with a Trailer
{WARNING
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear
of the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing
a trailer:
.Have the exhaust system
inspected for leaks and make
necessary repairs before
starting a trip.
.Never drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
Carbon Monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑42.
Towing a trailer requires a
certain amount of experience.
The combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road. Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors,
lamps, tires, and mirrors. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.

Black plate (92,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-92 Driving and Operating
Passing
More passing distance is
needed when towing a trailer.
The combination will not accelerate
as quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move
the trailer to the left, move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with
the vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this
so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
panel will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a
lower gear beforestarting down
a long or steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down,
the brakes might get hot and no
longer work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used
if the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑49.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil
at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating.

Black plate (93,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-93
To avoid this, let the engine
run while parked, preferably on
level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, seeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑24.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear and not in N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when on fairly
level ground, use the steps that
follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If the transfer case on a
four-wheel-drive vehicle is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).

Black plate (94,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-94 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information. Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
See
New Vehicle Break-In
on
page 9‑32for more information.
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.

Black plate (116,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-116 Driving and Operating
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
Tow/Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode
on page 9‑49for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing
on page 9‑94.
Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for electric trailer brakes.
This symbol is located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel on
vehicles with an Integrated Trailer
Brake Control system. The power
output to the trailer brakes is based
on the amount of brake pressure
being applied by the vehicle’s brake
system. This available power output
to the trailer brakes can be adjusted
to a wide range of trailering
situations.
The ITBC system is integrated
with the vehicle’s brake, antilock
brake, and StabiliTrak (if equipped)
systems. In trailering conditions that
cause the vehicle’s antilock brake or

Black plate (123,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-123
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
2500 and 3500 series vehicles with
StabiliTrak have a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature. If the vehicle
is towing a trailer and the system
detects that the trailer is swaying,
the vehicle's brakes are applied
without the driver pressing the brake
pedal. If the vehicle is equipped with
the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, StabiliTrak may also
apply the trailer brakes. The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light will flash on
the instrument panel cluster to notify
the driver to reduce speed. If the
trailer continues to sway, StabiliTrak
will reduce engine torque to help
slow the vehicle.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications
on page 10‑3for
more information.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
on page 3‑48and Adding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑48.
Adding a Snow Plow or
Similar Equipment
Before installing a snow plow on the
vehicle, here are some things you
need to know:
Notice: If your vehicle does
not have the snow plow prep
package, adding a plow can
damage your vehicle, and the
repairs would not be covered by
warranty. Unless your vehicle was
built to carry a snow plow, do not
add one to your vehicle. If your
vehicle has the snow plow prep
package, called RPO VYU, then
the payload your vehicle can
carry will be reduced when a
snow plow is installed. Your
vehicle can be damaged if either
the front or rear axle ratings or
the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
are exceeded.
Some vehicles are built with a
special snow plow prep package,
called RPO VYU. If your vehicle has
this option, you can add a plow to it,
provided certain weights, such as