2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO transmission

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49
Tow/Haul Mode
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission have a Tow/Haul
Mode. The Tow/Haul Mode adjuststhe transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling
when towing or hauling heavy loads.
The selector button is located on
the end of the shift lever. Turn the
Tow/Haul Mode on and off by
pressing the button. When the tow/
haul is on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light
on
page 5‑31for more information.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment
on page 9‑111for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Vehicles with an Allison
Transmission or Hydra-Matic
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
have a Tow/Haul Mode.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-50 Driving and Operating
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing
or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and
off by pressing the button, located
on the end of the shift lever. When
the tow/haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will
come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light
on
page 5‑31for more information.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment
on page 9‑111for more information.
Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
The Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button
on the end of the shift control lever.
While in Range Selection Mode,
Grade Braking is deactivated
allowing the driver to select a
desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is only active while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and
you are not in the Range Selection
Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode
on
page 9‑47for more information
on the Range Selection Mode. Grade Braking assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds
when driving on downhill grades by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that utilizes the engine
and transmission to slow the
vehicle. This reduces wear on the
braking system and increases
control of the vehicle. Grade
Braking monitors vehicle speed,
acceleration, engine torque and
brake pedal usage. Using this
information, it detects when the
truck is on a downhill grade and
the driver desires to slow the
vehicle by pressing the brake.
This feature is active when
the exhaust brake is enabled
(if equipped).
Also see
Towing Equipment
on
page 9‑111for more information.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-51
Cruise Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Cruise Grade Braking assists
when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
Cruise Grade Braking operates
while Cruise Control is engaged
in Tow/Haul Mode to assist in
maintaining vehicle speed under
loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes
vehicle acceleration and deviationfrom desired speed to determine
the correct gear for the operating
condition. If vehicle speed is above
the desired speed the transmission
will downshift to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is near or below
desired speed the trans will upshift,
allowing vehicle speed to increase.
While in the Range Selection Mode,
Cruise Grade Braking is not
available.
This feature is active when
the exhaust brake is enabled
(if equipped).
See
“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode on page 9‑47.
Manual Transmission
This is your shift pattern.
Here is how to operate the manual
transmission:
1 (First): Press the clutch
pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you slowly press down
on the accelerator pedal.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-52 Driving and Operating
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 30 km/h
(20 mph). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
Neutral and let up on the clutch.
Then press the clutch pedal back
down and shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth):
Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and
5 (Fifth) the same way you do for
2 (Second). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:
Use this position when
you start or idle the engine.
R (Reverse): To back up, press the
clutch pedal. After the vehicle stops,
shift into R (Reverse). Slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal. If it is hard
to shift, let the shift lever return to
Neutral and release the clutch
pedal. Then press the clutch again
and shift into R (Reverse). Do not
attempt to shift into 5 (Fifth) prior
to shifting into R (Reverse). The
transmission has a lock out feature
which prevents a 5 (Fifth) gear to
R (Reverse) gear shift. Notice:
Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
Use R (Reverse), along with the
parking brake, for parking the
vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{WARNING
If you skip a gear when you
downshift, you could lose control
of the vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift
down more than one gear at a
time when you downshift.

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-55
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®,
shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. See StabiliTrak®
System on page 9‑70.
A parking brake symbol is located
next to the N (Neutral) symbol as a
reminder to set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
into N (Neutral).
{WARNING
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 9‑68.
N (Neutral): Shift to this setting
only when the vehicle needs to be
towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing
on page 10‑101or Towing the
Vehicle on page 10‑101.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High): This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy. 4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High):
Use
this setting when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations.
This setting also engages the front
axle to help drive your vehicle.
This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
You can shift from Two-Wheel
Drive High to Four-Wheel Drive
High or Four-Wheel Drive High to
Two-Wheel Drive High while the
vehicle is moving. In extremely cold
weather, it may be necessary to
stop or slow the vehicle to shift
into Four-Wheel Drive High.

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
When Using the Manual
Transfer Case
.Shifts into or out of Four-Wheel
Drive Low or N (Neutral) should
be made using quick motions to
avoid excessive gear grinding.
Shifting slowly may make it more
difficult to shift.
.You may notice that it is harder
to shift when the vehicle is cold.
After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
.While in Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low you
may experience reduced fuel
economy.
.Avoid driving in Four-Wheel
Drive on clean, dry pavement.
It may cause your tires to wear
faster, make the transfer case
harder to shift, and run noisier.
.If the transfer case shifter is
in the N (Neutral) position and
you have difficulty reaching the
selected transfer case mode,
with the engine running, shift
the transmission momentarily
to D (Drive) and then back to
N (Neutral). This will realign the
gear teeth in the transfer case
and allow you to complete the
shift.
Shifting from Two-Wheel Drive
High to Four-Wheel Drive High
.Shifts between Two-Wheel Drive
High and Four-Wheel Drive High
can be made at any vehicle
speed.
.Shift the transfer case lever
in one continuous motion into
either the Four-Wheel Drive
High or Two-Wheel Drive High
position.
.Shifting from Two-Wheel Drive
High to Four-Wheel Drive High
while the vehicle is in motion
may require that moderate force
be applied to the shift lever for a
few seconds before Four-Wheel
Drive High can be engaged,
especially in cold weather.
.In extremely cold weather, it may
be necessary to slow or stop the
vehicle to shift into Four-Wheel
Drive High.
.While in Four-Wheel Drive High,
the vehicle can be driven at any
posted legal speed limit.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
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 5 km/h (3 mph) 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 5 km/h (3 mph).
.Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low should be done, if possible,
with the vehicle at a slight roll,
5 km/h (3 mph) or less.
.Shift the transmission into
N (Neutral).
{WARNING
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 9‑68.
.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 in Four-Wheel Drive
Low do not drive faster than
72 km/h (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.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-59
2m(Two-Wheel Drive High):This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in
Two-Wheel Drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
4
m(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. See
StabiliTrak®
System on page 9‑70.
{WARNING
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 9‑68. N (Neutral):
Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral)
only when towing the vehicle.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing
on
page 10‑101or Towing the Vehicleon
page 10‑101for more information.
If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
message stays on, you should
take the vehicle to your dealer
for service. See “SERVICE
4 WHEEL DRIVE message”
under Transmission Messages
on
page 5‑52.
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.