
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Silverado Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-8
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-61
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-38
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-32
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-43
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-70
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-76
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-83
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-90
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-123

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information
about the vehicle, use the Index
in the back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number
where it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning orCaution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage.
This would not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,” or
“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the Index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel (Base/UplevelVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Instrument Panel (Premium Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15 Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-27
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-27
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28 Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-30
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Universal Remote System . . . 1-31
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-33
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-34
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-34
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑6.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
on
page 5‑5.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑34.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on
page 6‑5.
E. Instrument Cluster
on
page 5‑13.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission
on page 9‑43.
Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑49.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®
6‐Speed Button (If Equipped).
See Manual Modeon
page 9‑47. G.
AM-FM Radio on page 7‑8.
H. Instrument Panel Storage
on
page 4‑1.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing
on
page 9‑94.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls
on
page 6‑1.
K. Data Link Connector (DLC). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 5‑27.
L. Hood on page 10‑5.
M. Parking Brake on page 9‑68.
N. Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
Fog Lamps
on page 6‑6(If Equipped).
O. Cruise Control on page 9‑73. P.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
on
page 5‑2.
Q. Horn on page 5‑5.
R. Steering Wheel Controls
on
page 5‑3(If Equipped).
S. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive
on
page 10‑32.
T. Ashtray (If Equipped). See Ashtrays
on page 5‑12andCigarette Lighteron
page 5‑11.
U. StabiliTrak
®Systemon
page 9‑70(If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on
page 9‑76(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on
page 9‑32.
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See "Brakes" in the Duramax
Diesel Supplement.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-7
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑6.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
on
page 5‑5.
C. Instrument Cluster
on
page 5‑13.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on
page 6‑5.
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑43.
F. Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9‑49(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑34.
H. AM-FM Radio on page 7‑8.
I. Exterior Lamp Controls
on
page 6‑1.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing
on
page 9‑94. K.
Dome Lamps
on page 6‑8.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive
on
page 10‑32.
M. Data Link Connector (DLC). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 5‑27.
N. Hood on page 10‑5.
O. Parking Brake on page 9‑68.
P. Cruise Control on page 9‑73.
Q. Steering Wheel Adjustment
on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑5.
S. Steering Wheel Controls
on
page 5‑3.
T. Climate Control Systems (with
Air Conditioning)
on page 8‑1orClimate Control Systems
(with Heater Only)on
page 8‑4(If equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System
on page 8‑5(If Equipped). U.
Power Outlets on page 5‑10.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped).
See Ashtrays
on page 5‑12andCigarette Lighteron
page 5‑11.
V. StabiliTrak
®Systemon
page 9‑70(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on
page 9‑32.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on
page 9‑76(If Equipped).
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See "Brakes" in the Duramax
Diesel Supplement.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See Airbag
On-Off Switch on page 3‑39.
X. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
1-14 In Brief
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat andseatback recliner, both outside
mirrors, and the throttle and
brake pedals, if available.
See Power Mirrors
on
page 2‑16and Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedalon
page 9‑32for more information.
Not all mirrors and adjustable
throttles and brake pedals will
have the ability to save and
recall their positions.
2. Press and hold “1”until
two beeps sound.
3. Repeat for a second driver position using “2.”
To recall the memory positions,
press and release “1”or“2.” The
vehicle must be in P (Park). A single
beep will sound. The seat, outside mirrors, and adjustable throttle and
brake pedals, if available, will move
to the position previously stored for
the identified driver.
See
“Memory Seat, Mirrors,
and Pedals” underPower Seat
Adjustment
on page 3‑5and
Vehicle Personalization (with DIC
Buttons)
on page 5‑53for more
information.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
The easy exit driver seat feature
can move the seat rearward to allow
extra room to exit the vehicle.
B: Press to recall the easy exit
seat position. The vehicle must be
in P (Park).
See “Memory Seat, Mirrors,
and Pedals” underPower Seat
Adjustment
on page 3‑5and
Vehicle Personalization (with DIC
Buttons)
on page 5‑53for more
information.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats,
the controls are located on the
driver and passenger doors.
I: Press to heat the
seatback only.
J: Press to heat the seat and
seatback.
The light on the button will come
on to indicate that the feature is
working. Press the button to cycle
through the temperature settings of
high, medium, and low and to turn
the heat to the seat off. Indicator
lights will show the level of heat
selected: three for high, two for
medium, and one for low.
See Heated Front Seats
on
page 3‑11.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-15
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the
head restraint height in the proper
position.
For more information seeHead
Restraints
on page 3‑2and
Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3.
Safety Belt
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly.
.Safety Belts on page 3‑14.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑17.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑23.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)on
page 3‑59.
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag
The passenger sensing system,
if equipped, turns off the right
front passenger frontal airbag
under certain conditions. The driver
airbags, seat‐mounted side impact
airbags and roof‐rail airbags are
not affected by this.
If the vehicle has one of the
indicators pictured in the following
illustrations, then the vehicle has
a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position unless
there is an airbag off switch located
in the glove box.
If there is an airbag off switch, the
vehicle does not have a passenger
sensing system. See Airbag On-Off
Switch
on page 3‑39for more
information.