2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO maintenance

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-27
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system. See “Checking Brake
Fluid” in this section.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑24.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-28 Vehicle Care
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
If the vehicle is a Hybrid, see the
Hybrid Supplement for more
information.
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery (or batteries). Refer to the
replacement number on the original
battery label when a new battery is
needed. See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑5 for battery
location.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 10‑84 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-29
Four-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer toMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 to determine when to
check the lubricant.
How to Check Lubricant
Electric Shift Transfer Case
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
Manual Shift Transfer Case
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain PlugActive Transfer Case
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug (A) hole, located on the
transfer case, some lubricant will
need to be added. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the fill plug (A) hole. Use
care not to overtighten the plug.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-30 Vehicle Care
When to Change Lubricant
Refer toMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 to determine how often to
change the lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check front axle fluid unless a leak
is suspected, or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss could indicate a
problem. Have it inspected and
repaired. How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
1500 Series
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
All Except 1500 Series
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
.When the differential is cold, add
enough lubricant to raise the
level from 0 mm (0 in) to 3.2 mm
(1/8 in) below the fill
plug (A) hole.
.When the differential is at
operating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to raise the
level to the bottom of the fill
plug (A) hole.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-32 Vehicle Care
(0.6 in to 1.6 in) below the
bottom of the fill plug hole,
located on the rear axle. Add
only enough fluid to reach the
proper level.
.For all 6.0 L 2500HD Series
applications, the proper level is
from 0 mm to 13 mm (0 to 0.5 in)
below the bottom of the fill plug
hole, located on the rear axle.
Add only enough fluid to reach
the proper level.
.For all 6.6 L Duramax Diesel
2500HD Series applications and
all 3500 Series applications, the
proper level is from 17 mm to
21 mm (0.6 in to 0.8 in) below the
bottom of the fill plug hole,
located on the rear axle. Add
only enough fluid to reach the
proper level.
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to
compliance with federal noise
emission standards for vehicles with
a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of more than 4 536 kg
(10,000 lbs). The noise control
system warranty is given in your
warranty booklet.
These standards apply only to
vehicles sold in the United States.
Federal law prohibits the following
acts or the causing thereof:
1. The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other
than for purposes of
maintenance, repair or
replacement, of any device or
element of design incorporated
into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control, prior to
its sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use; or 2. The use of the vehicle after such
device or element of design has
been removed or rendered
inoperative by any person.
Among those acts presumed to
constitute tampering are the acts
listed below.
Insulation:
Removal of the noise shields or any
underhood insulation.
Engine:
Removal or rendering engine speed
governor, if the vehicle has one,
inoperative so as to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer
specifications.
Fan and Drive:
.Removal of fan clutch, if the
vehicle has one, or rendering
clutch inoperative.
.Removal of the fan shroud, if the
vehicle has one.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-35
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. To remove the wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper armconnector away from the
windshield.
2. Squeeze the grooved areas oneach side of the blade, and turn
the blade assembly away from
the arm connector.
3. Install the new blade onto the
arm connector and make sure
the grooved areas are fully set in
the locked position.
For the proper type and size, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑15.
Glass Replacement
If the windshield or front side glass
must be replaced, see your dealer
to determine the correct
replacement glass.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-59
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tirepressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑59.
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry Canada
Standards
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the tires and transmit the tire
pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
10-60 Vehicle Care
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑15.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. If the vehicle has DIC
buttons, tire pressure levels can be
viewed. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays, see Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑29 andTire
Messages on page 5‑44.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure. A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See
Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑15, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure on page 10‑56.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
on page 10‑62, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑63 andTires on
page 10‑47.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use only the
GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The
malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause these to come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message
should go off after the road tire
is replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this
section.