2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 ECU

Black plate (96,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-96 Driving and Operating
exceeds the maximum amperage
rating of 40 amperes 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.Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy
duty trailering, the harness
connector is mounted in the bumper.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are
installed in the underhood electrical
center, but the wires are not
connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center. The fuse
and wire for the ITBC is factory
installed and connected if the
vehicle is equipped with an ITBC.
The fuse for the battery feed is not
required if the vehicle has an
auxiliary battery. If the vehicle does
not have an auxiliary battery, have
your dealer or authorized service
center install the required fuse.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the Tow/Haul Mode
button, if equipped, located at the
end of the shift lever. This will boost
the vehicle system voltage and
properly charge the battery. If the
trailer is too light for Tow/Haul
Mode, or the vehicle is not equipped
with Tow/Haul, turn on the

Black plate (106,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-106 Driving and Operating
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.
United States
Canada

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-21
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure 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 tightly.
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 5‑15. 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 5‑39 andEngine Power
Messages on page 5‑41.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑11.
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.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-36 Vehicle Care
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑39.
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, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps
A. Park/Turn Signal/
Sidemarker Lamp
B. Low‐Beam Headlamp
C. High‐Beam Headlamp
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10‑4 2. If you are replacing the bulb on
the passenger side, remove the
Engine Air Cleaner cover. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16 for 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.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-71
For proper torque, see“Wheel Nut
Torque” underCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑72 for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
If the vehicle has dual wheels or
P265/65R18, P275/55R20,
LT265/70R17, LT265/70R18,
LT265/60R20, P285/50R20,
P285/45R22 or 285/45R22 size
tires, do not use tire chains. They
can damage the vehicle because
there is not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension, or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust, or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.
Notice: If the vehicle does not
have dual wheels and has a tire
size other than P265/65R18, P275/
55R20, LT265/70R17, LT265/
70R18, LT265/60R20, P285/50R20,
P285/45R22, or 285/45R22, use
tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains
that are the proper size for the
tires. Install them on the tires of
the rear axle. Do not use chains
on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-78 Vehicle Care
Front Position - All Other ModelsPosition the jack under the
vehicle, as shown. If the flat tire
is on the front of the vehicle (all
other models), position the jack
on the frame behind the flat tire.Rear Position –1500 Models
5. If the flat tire is on the rear, for 1500 models position the jack
under the rear axle about 5 cm
(2 in) inboard of the shock
absorber bracket.Rear Position –All Other Models
For all other models, position the
jack under the rear axle between
the spring anchor and the shock
absorber bracket.
If a snow plow has been added
to the front of the vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack head is
positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between the
grooves that are on the
jack head.

Black plate (83,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-83
7. Make sure the tire is storedsecurely. Push, pull (A), and then
try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire
moves, use the wheel wrench to
tighten the cable.
8. Reinstall the spare tire lock, if the vehicle has one. To store the jack and jack tools:
A. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel
Blocks
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
D. Wheel Wrench and Extensions
E. Tool Bag
F. Jack Mounting Bracket
G. Jack
H. Bolt Retaining Wheel Blocks 1. Put the tools (D) in the tool
bag (E) and place them in the
retaining bracket (C).
2. Tighten down the wing nut (C).
3. Assemble the wheel blocks (B) and jack (G) together with the
wing nut (A) and retaining
bolt (H).
4. Position the jack (G) in the mounting bracket (F). Position
the holes in the base of the
jack (G) onto the pin in the
mounting bracket (F).
5. Return them to their original location in the vehicle. For more
information, refer to “Removing
the Spare Tire and Tools” for
more information.

Black plate (90,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-90 Vehicle Care
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed. Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle being towed
behind the tow vehicle and shift
the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake.
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
{WARNING
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). The driver or others
could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is firmly set before
the transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive
on page 9‑41 for the proper
procedure to select the Neutral
position for the vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key —the
steering wheel will still turn.