2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO ECU

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrapthe electrical cord. The cord
is secured to the Engine
Compartment Fuse Block
with a clip. Carefully remove
the wire tie which bundles the
electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach,
use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Shifting Into Park
{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 you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. With four-wheel
drive, if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear —not in N (Neutral). If you
are pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 9‑90.

Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-81
The following illustration shows
the field of view that the camera
provides.
A. View displayed by the camera
B. Corner of the rear bumper
Disconnecting the Rear Vision
Camera
The rear vision camera must be
disconnected if the tailgate needs to
be removed.To disconnect the camera:
1. Remove the license plate.
2. Disconnect the camera
connectors from the chassis
harness, located behind the
license plate, by pressing on the
release tab on each connector.
A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
C. Camera connector
3. Plug the two exposed chassis harness connectors together to
prevent contamination.
A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
4. Feed the wiring harness through the pickup box, then plug the
camera connectors together
to prevent contamination.
5. Remove the tailgate. See Tailgate
on page 2‑11for more information.
6. Reinstall the license plate.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the rear vision camera and make
sure the grommet and connection
are secure.

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 (109,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-109
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑4for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer
is very important because it is
also part of the vehicle weight.
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle as well as trailer tongue
weight. Vehicle options, equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehicle
reduce the amount of tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle
can tow. See “Vehicle Load Limits”
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
Trailer tongue weight (A) should be
10 to 15 percent and fifth-wheel or
gooseneck kingpin weight should be
15 to 25 percent of the loaded trailer
weight (B) up to the maximums for
vehicle series and hitch type
shown here:

Black plate (113,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-113
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that
is adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
If the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer cannot tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system.
The trailer brake system can tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system only if:
.The trailer parts can withstand
20 650 kPa (3,000 psi) of
pressure.
.The trailer's brake system
will use less than 0.3 cc
(0.02 cubic inch) of fluid from
the vehicle's master cylinder.
Otherwise, both braking systems
will not work well or at all.If everything checks out this far,
make the brake tap at the port on
the master cylinder that sends the
fluid to the rear brakes. Use only
steel brake tubing to make the tap.
Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can
be used to supply electrical power
to additional equipment that may be
added, such as a slide-in camper.
If the vehicle has this provision, this
relay will be located on the driver
side of the vehicle, next to the
underhood electrical center.
Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included
with any electrical equipment
that is installed.
Notice:
Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use
and do not use equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage
rating for the auxiliary battery
provision.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with one of
the following wiring harnesses for
towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew
cab pickups have a seven‐wire
trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with
heavy duty trailering, the harness
is secured to the vehicle's frame
behind the spare tire mount.
The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is
available through your dealer.
If towing a light‐duty trailer with
a standard four‐way round pin
connector, an adapter is available
from your dealer.

Black plate (124,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-124 Driving and Operating
the weights on the vehicle's
axles and the Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW), are not exceeded.
The plow the vehicle can carry
depends on many things, such as:
.The options the vehicle came
with, and the weight of those
options.
.The weight and number of
passengers you intend to carry.
.The weight of items added to
the vehicle, like a tool box or
truck cap.
.The total weight of any
additional cargo you intend to
carry.
Say, for example, you have a 318 kg
(700 lb) snow plow. The total weight
of all occupants and cargo inside
the cab should not exceed 135 kg
(300 lb). This means that you may
only be able to carry one passenger.
But, even this may be too much
if you have got other equipment
already adding to the weight of
the vehicle. Here are some guidelines for safely
carrying a snow plow on the vehicle:
.Make sure the weight on the
front and rear axles does not
exceed the axle rating for each.
.For the front axle, if more cargo
or passengers must be carried,
appropriate counter ballast must
be installed rear of the rear axle.
Counter ballast must be properly
secured so it will not move
during driving.
.Follow the snow
plow manufacturer's
recommendations regarding
rear ballast. Rear ballast may
be required to ensure a proper
front and rear weight distribution
ratio, even though the actual
weight at the front axle may be
less than the front axle rating.
.The snow plow manufacturer
or installer can assist you in
determining the amount of rear
ballast required, to help make
sure the snowplow/vehicle
combination does not exceed
the GVW rating, the front and
rear axle ratings, and the front
and rear weight distribution ratio.
.The total vehicle must not
exceed the GVW rating.
Front axle reserve capacity is the
difference between the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) and the front
axle weight of the vehicle with full
fuel and passengers. Basically, it is
the amount of weight that can be
added to the front axle before
reaching the front GAWR.
The front axle reserve capacity
for the vehicle can be found
in the lower right corner of the
Certification/Tire label, as shown.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90°C (195°F).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches
the FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1 through 6.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has the Duramax®
Diesel engine, see the Duramax
Diesel Supplement for more
information.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge on the vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑19.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) on the
instrument panel. See Engine
Cooling System Messages
on
page 5‑46and Engine Power
Messages on page 5‑47.
If the decision is made not to
lift the hood when this warning
appears, get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑7. If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:
Engine damage from
running your engine without
coolant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Overheated
Engine Protection Operating
Mode for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
while driving with no coolant, the
vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode
on
page 10‑26for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-43
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbson
page 10‑46.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps (Silverado)
A. Park/Turn Signal/ Sidemarker Lamp
B. Low‐Beam Headlamp
C. High‐Beam Headlamp
1. Open the hood. See Hood
on
page 10‑5
2. If you are replacing the bulb on the passenger side, remove
the Engine Air Cleaner cover.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 10‑18for more information. 3. Reach in and access the bulb
sockets from inside the engine
compartment.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly
and pull it straight out.
5. Unplug the electrical connector from the old bulb by releasing
the clips on the bulb socket.
6. Replace it with a new bulb.
7. Plug in the electrical connector.
8. Reinstall the new bulb socket into the headlamp assembly and
turn it clockwise to secure.