Black plate (89,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-89
When replacing the fuel cap, turn
it clockwise until it clicks. It will
require more effort to turn the fuel
cap on the last turn as you tighten it.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This
would allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑27.
The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. See Fuel System
Messages
on page 5‑48for more
information.
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately. Notice:
If a new fuel cap is
needed, be sure to get the right
type of cap from your dealer.
The wrong type fuel cap might
not fit properly, might cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to
light, and could damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on
page 5‑27.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
Black plate (118,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-118 Driving and Operating
Trailer Brake Control Panel
A. Manual Trailer Brake ApplyLever
B. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons The ITBC system has a control
panel located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
column. See
Instrument Panel
(Base/Uplevel Version)
on
page 1‑2or Instrument Panel
(Premium Version)on page 1‑6.
The control panel allows adjustment
to the amount of output, referred
to as trailer gain, available to the
electric trailer brakes and allows
manual application of the trailer
brakes. The Trailer Brake Control
Panel is used along with the Trailer
Brake Display Page on the DIC to
adjust and display power output to
the trailer brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC system displays
messages on the vehicle’s Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Brake
System Messages
on page 5‑44for more information. The display page indicates
Trailer Gain setting, power output
to the electric trailer brakes, trailer
connection, and system operational
status.
The Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed by performing any of
the following actions:
.Scrolling through the DIC menu
pages using the odometer
trip stem or the DIC Vehicle
Information button (if equipped).
.Pressing a Trailer Gain
button—If the Trailer Brake
Display Page is not currently
displayed, pressing a Trailer
Gain button will first recall the
current Trailer Gain setting.
After the Trailer Brake Display
Page is displayed, each press
and release of the gain buttons
will then cause the Trailer Gain
setting to change.
Black plate (119,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-119
.Activating the Manual Trailer
Brake Apply lever.
.Connecting a trailer equipped
with electric trailer brakes.
All DIC warning and service
messages must first be
acknowledged by the driver
by pressing the odometer trip stem
or the DIC Vehicle Information
button (if equipped) before the
Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed and Trailer Gain
can be adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN: This setting is
displayed any time the Trailer Brake
Display Page is active. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with either a trailer connected or
disconnected. To adjust the Trailer
Gain, press one of the Trailer Gain
adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press
and hold a gain button to cause the
Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off,
adjust the Trailer Gain setting to
0.0 (zero). 0.0 (zero) gain is the factory default
setting. To properly adjust trailer
gain, see
“Trailer Gain Adjustment
Procedure” later in this section.
TRAILER OUTPUT: This is
displayed any time a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output
to the electric brakes is based on
the amount of vehicle braking
present and relative to the Trailer
Gain setting. Output is displayed
from 0 to 10 bars for each gain
setting.
On vehicles with Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) or Hill Start Assist
(HSA), output to the electric trailer
brakes may be displayed when the
systems are active. See Trailer
Sway Control (TSC)
on page 9‑123and Hill Start Assist (HSA)on
page 9‑70. The Trailer Output will indicate
“- - - - - -”
on the Trailer Brake
Display Page whenever the
following occur:
.No trailer is connected
.A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
is displayed)
.A trailer with electric brakes
has become disconnected
(a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed
on the DIC)
.There is a fault present in the
wiring to the electric trailer
brakes (a CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message will also be
displayed on the DIC)
.There is a fault in the ITBC
system (a SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message will
also be displayed in the DIC)
Black plate (120,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-120 Driving and Operating
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever is located on the Trailer
Brake Control Panel and is used to
apply the trailer’s electric brakes
independent of the vehicle’s brakes.
This lever is used in the Trailer Gain
Adjustment Procedure to properly
adjust the power output to the trailer
brakes. Sliding the lever to the left
will apply only the trailer brakes.
The power output to the trailer is
indicated in the Trailer Brake
Display Page on the DIC. If the
vehicle’s service brakes are applied
while using the Manual Trailer Brake
Apply Lever, the trailer output power
will be the greater of the two.
The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle braking or manual trailer
brakes are applied. Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and
must be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading, or road
surface conditions change.
Setting the Trailer Gain properly is
needed for the best trailer stopping
performance. A trailer that is
over-gained may result in locked
trailer brakes. A trailer that is
under-gained may result in not
enough trailer braking. Both of
these conditions may result in
poorer stopping and stability of
the vehicle and trailer.
Use the following procedure to
correctly adjust Trailer Gain for
each towing condition:
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are
in proper working condition.
2. Connect a properly loaded trailer to the vehicle and make
all necessary mechanical
and electrical connections.
See Vehicle Load Limits
on
page 9‑23for more information.
3. After the electrical connection is made to a trailer equipped with
electric brakes:
.A TRAILER CONNECTED
message will be briefly
displayed on the DIC.
.The Trailer Brake Display
Page will appear on the
DIC showing TRAILER
GAIN and TRAILER
OUTPUT.
Black plate (121,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-121
.In the Trailer Output display
on the DIC,“- - - - - -”will
disappear if there is no
error present. Connecting
a trailer without electric
brakes will not clear the
six dashed lines.
4. Adjust the Trailer Gain by using the gain adjustment (+ / -)
buttons on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel.
5. Drive the vehicle with the trailer attached on a level road surface
representative of the towing
condition and free of traffic at
about 32 to 40 km/h (20 to
25 mph) and fully apply the
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever.
Adjusting trailer gain at speeds
lower than 32 to 40 km/h
(20 to 25 mph) may result
in an incorrect gain setting. 6. Adjust the Trailer Gain to just
below the point of trailer wheel
lock-up, indicated by trailer
wheel squeal or tire smoke
when a trailer wheel locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not
occur if towing a heavily loaded
trailer. In this case, adjust the
Trailer Gain to the highest
allowable setting for the towing
condition.
7. Re-adjust Trailer Gain any time vehicle loading, trailer loading or
road surface conditions change
or if trailer wheel lock-up is
noticed at any time while towing.
Other ITBC-Related DIC Messages
In addition to displaying TRAILER
GAIN and TRAILER OUTPUT
through the DIC, trailer connection
and ITBC system status are
displayed on the DIC.
TRAILER CONNECTED: This
message will be briefly displayed
when a trailer with electric brakes
is first connected to the vehicle. This message will automatically turn
off in about 10 seconds. The driver
can also acknowledge this message
before it automatically turns off.
CHECK TRAILER WIRING: This
message will be displayed if:
1. The ITBC system first
determines connection to a
trailer with electric brakes and
then the trailer harness becomes
disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stationary, this
message will automatically
turn off in about 30 seconds.
This message will also turn off if
the driver acknowledges this
message or if the trailer harness
is re-connected.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message will continue until
the ignition is turned off.
This message will also turn
off if the driver acknowledges
this message or if the trailer
harness is re-connected.
Black plate (122,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-122 Driving and Operating
2. There is an electrical fault inthe wiring to the electric trailer
brakes. This message will
continue as long as there is
an electrical fault in the trailer
wiring. This message will
also turn off if the driver
acknowledges this message.
To determine if the electrical
fault is on the vehicle side or trailer
side of the trailer wiring harness
connection, do the following:
1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the ignition back to RUN. 4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message re-appears, the
electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message only re-appears when
connecting the trailer wiring
harness to the vehicle, the
electrical fault is on the
trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM: This message will
be displayed when there is a
problem with the ITBC system.
If this message persists over
multiple ignition cycles, there is
a problem with the ITBC system.
Take the vehicle to an authorized
GM dealer to have the ITBC system
diagnosed and repaired. If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message is
displayed while driving the vehicle,
power is no longer available to
the trailer brakes. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road
and turn the ignition off. Check the
wiring connection to the trailer and
turn the ignition back on. If either of
these messages continues, either
the vehicle or trailer needs service.
An authorized GM dealer may
be able to diagnose and repair
problems with the trailer. However,
any diagnosis and repair of the
trailer is not covered under the
vehicle warranty. Please contact
your trailer dealer for assistance
with trailer repairs and trailer
warranty information.
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-10 Vehicle Care
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and filter based on
vehicle use. Whenever the oil is
changed, reset the system so it
can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation
occurs where the oil is changed
prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message coming on, reset
the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to
100% after every oil change. It will
not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System on most vehicles:
1. Display the OIL LIFEREMAINING on the DIC.
If the vehicle does not have
DIC buttons, the vehicle must
be in P (Park) to access this
display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑34. 2. Press and hold the SET/RESET
button on the DIC, or the trip
odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, for more than
five seconds. The oil life
will change to 100%.
On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life
System can be reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the
display shows 100%, the system
is reset. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑34.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
and it comes back on when the
vehicle is started and/or the OIL
LIFE REMAINING is near 0%, the
Engine Oil Life System has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
3. With your foot on the brakepedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, move the
shift lever back to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500 –800 rpm) for at least
1 minute. Slowly release the
brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel button or
trip odometer reset stem until
TRANS TEMP (Transmission
Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and
perform the appropriate check
procedure. If the TRANS TEMP
reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the
vehicle to cool, or operate the
vehicle until the appropriate
transmission fluid temperature
is reached. Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a
reference to determine if the
transmission has enough fluid
to be operated safely until a hot
check procedure can be made.
The hot check procedure is the
most accurate method to check the
fluid level. Perform the hot check
procedure at the first opportunity.
Use this cold check procedure
to check fluid level when the
transmission temperature is
between 27°C and 32°C
(80°F and 90°F).
1. Locate the transmission dipstick
at the rear of the engine
compartment, on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 10‑6for
more information.
2. Flip the handle up, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way; wait
three seconds, and then
pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat
the check procedure to verify the
reading.