
Black plate (109,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-109
Notice:Using strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels, could
damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use only approved
cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of the
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because they could
damage the surface. Do not use
chrome polish on aluminum wheels. Notice:
Using chrome polish on
aluminum wheels could damage
the wheels. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use chrome polish
on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on
chrome-plated wheels, but avoid
any painted surface of the wheel,
and buff off immediately after
application.
Notice: Driving the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire
cleaning brushes, could damage
the aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Never drive a vehicle that has
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels through an automatic car
wash that uses silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes.Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush
with tire cleaner.
Notice: Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.

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.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
13-8 Customer Information
owner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or the
same type of claim is made many
times.
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock‐Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Chevrolet dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is
not covered by the warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Routing Service: Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. There is a
limit of six requests per year.
Additional travel information
is also available. Allow three
weeks for delivery.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
i-2 INDEX
Audio SystemFixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-47
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-43 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11, 10-14
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49
Brake Pedal and AdjustableThrottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44 Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-46
Pickup-Box Identification
and Fender Marker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-11
Reporting Safety DefectsCanadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7, 13-9
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22, 2-23
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-6
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23 Safety Belts (cont.)
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . . 3-30
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-28
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . 13-9
Seatback Latches . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-7
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-5
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12, 3-13
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 Securing Child
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-68, 3-71
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Service Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-12
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 12-1
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-9
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 3-48
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
i-12 INDEX
ShiftingInto Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Snow Plow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-123
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . . 5-31
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Starting the Vehicle Messsages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-45 Storage Areas
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22, 2-23
Switches Airbag On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System
Noise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-14 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14 Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tires
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Dual Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-95
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-67
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78