
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Silverado Owner ManualM
Driving and Operating. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-26
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-38
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-62
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-68
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-76
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-82
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-115 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-97
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . 10-102
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-17 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
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)
%: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
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel(Base/Uplevel Version) . . . . . . 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 . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-26
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-27
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-30
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Universal Remote System . . . 1-30
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-33
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 - 2012
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See 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 5‑32.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5 (Out of View).
E. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑13.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑38.
Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑43.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®
6‐Speed Button) (If Equipped).
See Manual Mode on
page 9‑42. G.
Infotainment on page 7‑1.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing on
page 9‑86.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
K. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑24.
L. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
M. Parking Brake on page 9‑60.
N. Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑6
(If Equipped).
O. Cruise Control on page 9‑66.
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 5‑12
and Cigarette Lighter on
page 5‑11.
U. StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑62 (If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑68 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 9‑26.
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See “Brakes” in the Duramax
diesel supplement.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-7
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See 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 (Out of View).
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑38.
Range Selection Mode
(If Equipped). See Manual
Mode on page 9‑42.
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑43
(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑32.
H. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
I. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1. J. Integrated Trailer Brake
Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing on
page 9‑86.
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) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑24.
N. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
O. Parking Brake on page 9‑60.
P. Cruise Control on page 9‑66.
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 8‑1 orClimate 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 5‑12 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑11.
V. StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑62 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 9‑26.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑68 (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 3‑30.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-13
Memory Features
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the controls on the driver
door are used to program and recall
memory settings for the driver seat,
outside mirrors, and the adjustable
throttle and brake pedals,
if equipped.Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat and
seatback recliner, both outside
mirrors, and the throttle and
brake pedals, if equipped.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑15
and Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal on page 9‑26 for
more information.
Not all mirrors and adjustable
throttle 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, 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 equipped, will move to the position
previously stored for the identified
driver.
See
Memory Seats on page 3‑8 and
Vehicle Personalization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more
information.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This 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 Seats on page 3‑8 and
Vehicle Personalization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more
information.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-17
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
The tilt lever is located on the lower
left side of the steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Hold the steering wheel and pullthe lever.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Throttle and Brake Pedal
Adjustment
On vehicles with this feature, you
can change the position of the
throttle and brake pedals.
The control used to adjust the
pedals is located on the instrument
panel below the climate control
system.
Press the bottom of the control to
move the pedals closer to your
body. Press the top of the control to
move the pedals away.
See Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal on page 9‑26.
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps are located in the
overhead console.
They come on when any door is
opened and turn off after all the
doors are closed.
Turn the instrument panel
brightness knob located below
the dome lamp override button,
clockwise to the farthest position to
manually turn on the dome lamps.
The dome lamps remain on until the
knob is turned counterclockwise.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-29
3:Press to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel range,
average economy, fuel used, timer,
instantaneous economy and Active
Fuel Management™ indicator,
and transmission temperature.
The compass and outside air
temperature will also be shown in
the display. The temperature will be
shown in °C or °F depending on the
units selected.
T: Press to display the oil life,
units, tire pressure readings for
vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), trailer
brake gain and output information
for vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
engine hours, compass zone
setting, and compass recalibration.
U: Press to customize the
feature settings on your vehicle.
See Vehicle Personalization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52
for more information.
V: Press to set or reset certain
functions and to turn off or
acknowledge messages on the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑32.
Vehicle Customization
Some vehicle features can be
programmed by using the DIC
buttons next to the steering wheel.
These features include:
.Language
.Door Lock and Unlock Settings
.RKE Lock and Unlock Feedback
.Lighting
.Chime Volume
.Memory Features
See Vehicle Personalization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If available, the RVC displays a
view of the area behind the vehicle
when the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse). This is displayed on
the inside rearview mirror or the
navigation screen, if equipped.
To clean the camera lens, located in
the bezel of the tailgate handle,
rinse it with water and wipe it with a
soft cloth.
For more information, see Rear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 9‑70.