2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO oil level

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑2and be
sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be best to have
this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result.
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission
to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking
the transmission fluid. Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:.When outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
.At high speed for quite a while.
.In heavy traffic
—especially in
hot weather.
.While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 82°C to
93°C (180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 24 km (15 miles) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third)
until the engine temperature gauge
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch
fluid reservoir to make sure the
fluid level is at the MIN (minimum)
line on the side of the reservoir. The
brake/hydraulic clutch fluid system
should be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check
the fluid level or to top‐off the fluid
level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see“Pickup Models” under“Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter” in the Duramax
®
Diesel Supplement for the correct
inspection and replacement
procedures.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at
the scheduled maintenance
intervals and replace it at the first
oil change after each 80 000 km
(50,000 mi) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑2for
more information. If driving on
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the engine air cleaner/filter
from the vehicle by following
Steps 1 through 6. When the engine
air cleaner/filter is removed, lightly
shake it to release loose dust and
dirt. If the engine air cleaner/filter
remains caked with dirt, a new filter
is required. Never use compressed
air to clean the filter.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located
in the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for more information
on location.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant surge tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
The coolant level should be at or
above the FULL COLD mark. If it
is not, there may be a leak in the
cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see “Cooling System” in the
Duramax Diesel Supplement for
the proper coolant fill procedure.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-31
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see
if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in
the brake hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always
use the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid
can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the
brake hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
11-2 Service and Maintenance
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous. Some jobs can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment.
If in doubt, see your dealer to
have a qualified technician do
the work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
At your dealer, you can be
certain that you will receive the
highest level of service available.
Your dealer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as,
up‐to‐date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate
diagnostics. The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricantson page 11‑8and
Maintenance Replacement Partson
page 11‑11. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and
performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑71.
Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter.
See Engine Oilon page 10‑7.
An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
service is required for the vehicle
as soon as possible, within the next
1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under
the best conditions, the engine oil
life system might not indicate the
need for vehicle service for more
than a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a
year and the oil life system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since
the last service. Reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑9.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and
filter. Reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil
on page 10‑7andEngine Oil Life Systemon
page 10‑9. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check.
See Engine Coolanton
page 10‑20.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection
of hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑28.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care
on page 10‑106. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑39.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑63.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑71.
.Rotate tires if necessary.
See Tire Rotation on
page 10‑71.
.Fluids visual leak check
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and
the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑18.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.For vehicles with Allison
Transmission®only: At the first
engine oil change only, replace
external transmission filter.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
Additional Required Services
At the First 160 km/100 Miles,
1 600 km/1,000 Miles, and
10 000 km/6,000 Miles
.For vehicles with dual
wheels: Check dual wheel
nut torque. For proper
torque, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should
be rotated every 12 000 km/
7,500 miles. See Tire Rotation
on page 10‑71. At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check.
See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
.Engine coolant level check.
SeeEngine Coolanton
page 10‑20.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑28.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑63.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑71.
.Sunroof track and seal
inspection, if equipped.
See Sunroof (Extended Cab)
on
page 2‑22or Sunroof (Crew
Cab) on page 2‑23. Once a Year
.See
Starter Switch Checkon
page 10‑37.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑38.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑38.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Checkon
page 10‑39.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Underbody flushing service.