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 (14,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to
check the transmission fluid level.
The only reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.Notice:
Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission
fluid listed in Recommended
Fluids and Lubricantson
page 11‑8.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑2. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
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.
Before checking the fluid level,
prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface.
Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park).
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Brakes
This vehicle has front disc brakes
and could have rear drum brakes or
rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.Notice:
Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specifications in Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
If the vehicle has rear drum brakes,
they do not have wear indicators,
but if a rear brake rubbing noise is
heard, have the rear brake linings
inspected immediately. Rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. Drum brakes have an inspection
hole to inspect lining wear during
scheduled maintenance. When the
front brake pads are replaced, have
the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-39
On all vehicles, the ignition key
should come out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should
be inspected for wear or cracking.
See Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑2for more information on
wiper blade inspection.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. To remove the wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from the
windshield.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-1
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . 11-12
General Information
This maintenance section applies
to vehicles with a gasoline engine.
For diesel engine vehicles, see the
maintenance schedule section in
the Duramax Diesel Supplement.
Notice: Maintenance
intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and
lubricants are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good working
condition. Damage caused by
failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
As the vehicle owner, you are
responsible for the scheduled
maintenance in this section.
We recommend having your
dealer perform these services.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps
to keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions for
better air quality. Because of all the different ways
people use vehicles, maintenance
needs vary. The vehicle might need
more frequent checks and services.
Please read the information under
Scheduled Maintenance. To keep
the vehicle in good condition, see
your dealer.
The maintenance schedule is for
vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑23.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Are driven off-road in the
recommended manner.
SeeOff-Road Driving
on
page 9‑7.
.Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuelon
page 9‑84.
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 (8,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
11-8 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine and/or an
Allison Transmission, see the maintenance schedule section in the Duramax Diesel Supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®coolant.
See Engine Coolant on page 10‑20.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12377967,
in Canada 89021320).
Hydraulic Clutch System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12377967,
in Canada 89021320).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Records
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the
type of services performed in the boxes provided. Retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
Reading Serviced By Services Performed