Page 145 of 584

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
4. Press the trip/fuel button untilthe vehicle heading, for
example, N for North, is
displayed in the DIC. Or, if the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, press and hold the trip
odometer reset stem for
two seconds to select the next
available variance zone. Repeat
this step until the appropriate
variance zone is displayed.
5. If calibration is necessary, calibrate the compass.
See “Compass Calibration
Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually
calibrated. Only calibrate the
compass in a magnetically clean
and safe location, such as an open
parking lot, where driving the
vehicle in circles is not a danger. It is suggested to calibrate away
from tall buildings, utility wires,
manhole covers, or other industrial
structures, if possible.
If CAL should ever appear in the
DIC display, the compass should be
calibrated.
If the DIC display does not show a
heading, for example, N for North,
or the heading does not change
after making turns, there may be a
strong magnetic field interfering with
the compass. Such interference
may be caused by a magnetic CB
or cell phone antenna mount, a
magnetic emergency light, magnetic
note pad holder, or any other
magnetic item. Turn off the vehicle,
move the magnetic item, then turn
on the vehicle and calibrate the
compass.
To calibrate the compass, use the
following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass,
make sure the compass zone
is set to the variance zone in
which the vehicle is located.
See “Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure” earlier in this
section.
Do not operate any switches
such as window, sunroof,
climate controls, or seats during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS
VTO
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays. Or, if the vehicle
does not have DIC buttons,
press the trip odometer reset
stem until CALIBRATE
COMPASS displays.
Page 148 of 584

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
5-10 Instruments and Controls
4. To increase the time or date,do one of the following:
.Press the softkey below the
selected tab.
.Press the¨SEEK button.
.Press the\FWD button.
.Turn thefknob clockwise.
5. To decrease the time or date, do one of the following:
.Press the©SEEK button.
.Press thesREV button.
.Turn thefknob
counterclockwise. To change the time default setting
from 12 hour to 24 hour or to change
the date default setting from month/
day to day/month:
1. Press the MENU button and
then the softkey under the
Htab.
2. Press the softkey located below the forward arrow tab. 12H, 24H,
the date MM/DD (month and
day), and DD/MM (day and
month) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below the desired option.
4. Press the MENU button again to apply the desired option, or let
the screen time out.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can
be used to plug in electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone,
MP3 player, etc.
The vehicle may have two
accessory power outlets located
below the climate control system,
or may have one accessory power
outlet and one cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is designed to
fit only in the receptacle closest to
the driver.
There may be another accessory
power outlet in the rear cargo area.
If the vehicle has a floor console,
there is an accessory power outlet
inside the storage bin and one on
the rear of the floor console.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
Page 149 of 584

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-11
The accessory power outlets are
powered, even when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. Continuing to use
power outlets while the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF may cause the vehicle's
battery to run down.
{WARNING
Power is always supplied to the
outlets. Do not leave electrical
equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the
vehicle could catch fire and cause
injury or death.
Notice: Leaving electrical
equipment plugged in for an
extended period of time while
the vehicle is off will drain the
battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating. Certain power accessory plugs may
not be compatible to the accessory
power outlet and could overload
vehicle or adapter fuses. If a
problem is experienced, see your
dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included
with the equipment. See
Add-On
Electrical Equipment on page 9‑115.
Notice: Hanging heavy
equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The power outlets are designed
for accessory power plugs only,
such as cell phone charge cords.
Cigarette Lighter
To use the cigarette lighter,
push it in all the way, and let go.
When it is ready for use, the lighter
pops back out.
Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter
in while it is heating does not let
the lighter back away from the
heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can
occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette
lighter in while it is heating.
Page 150 of 584

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
5-12 Instruments and Controls
Ashtrays
The vehicle may have a front
ashtray located near the center of
the instrument panel. Pull on the
door to open it. The ashtray may
have a cigarette lighter.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other
flammable items are put in the
ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage the
vehicle. Never put flammable
items in the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, open the
door and pull the ashtray bin toward
you. To replace the ashtray, insert
the ashtray bin inside the ashtray
door and press down until it
engages.
Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Some warning lights come
on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working. Gauges can indicate when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Often gauges and warning
lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
and even dangerous.
Page 151 of 584
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-13
Instrument Cluster
English Light Duty Premium Shown. Metric, Uplevel, Base and Heavy Duty Similar.
Page 154 of 584

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
5-16 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
The engine oil pressure gauge
shows the engine oil pressure
in kPa (kilopascals) or psi (pounds
per square inch) when the engine is
running.
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and
oil viscosity, but if readings are
outside the normal operating range,
the oil pressure light comes on.
See Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑30 for more information. A reading outside the normal
operating range can be caused by
a dangerously low oil level or some
other problem causing low oil
pressure. Check the vehicle's oil
as soon as possible. See
“OIL
PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE”
under Engine Oil Messages on
page 5‑45 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑7.
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
Page 156 of 584

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
5-18 Instruments and Controls
Voltmeter Gauge
This gauge indicates the battery
voltage when the ignition is
turned on.
When the ignition is on, this gauge
indicates the battery voltage.When the engine is running, this
gauge shows the condition of the
charging system. The gauge can
transition from a higher to lower or
a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating
outside the normal operating range,
the charging system light comes on.
See
Charging System Light on
page 5‑23 for more information.
The voltmeter gauge may also read
lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal.
Readings outside the normal
operating range can also occur
when a large number of electrical
accessories are operating in the
vehicle and the engine is left
idling for an extended period.
This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased,
this condition should correct itself
as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create
maximum power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a
short time with the readings outside
the normal operating range. If the
vehicle must be driven, turn off all
accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner.
Readings outside the normal
operating range indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
Have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.
Page 157 of 584

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety belt
reminder light on the instrument
panel cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle my continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
For vehicles equipped with the
passenger safety belt reminder light,
several seconds after the engine
is started, a chime sounds for
several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety
belt. The passenger safety belt light
flashes and then stays on solid until
the belt is buckled. This cycle
continues several times if the
passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is
moving.If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn on
if an object is put on the seat such
as a briefcase, handbag, grocery
bag, laptop, or other electronic
device. To turn off the warning light
and/or chime, remove the object
from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.