2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Black plate (53,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Driving and Operating 9-53
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle might have the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑24. Along with ABS, the vehicle has a
Dynamic Rear Proportioning (DRP)
system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning
lights come on accompanied by a
10‐second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the
ignition is turned on until the
problem is repaired. See your dealer
for service.
Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
antilock work. You might feel the
brakes vibrate or hear some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
If the vehicle has ABS, it allows the
driver to steer and brake at the
same time. However, if the vehicle
does not have ABS, the first
reaction, to hit the brake pedal hard

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-54 Driving and Operating
and hold it down, might be the
wrong thing to do. The wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to the
driver's steering. Momentum will
carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped
rolling. That could be off the road,
into the very thing the driver was
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If the vehicle does not have ABS,
use a squeeze braking technique.
This gives maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. Do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with
steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably
want to squeeze the brakes hard
without locking the wheels. If you
hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This helps
retain steering control. With ABS, it
is different.
In many emergencies, steering can
help more than even the very best
braking.Parking Brake
For vehicles with a release handle,
set the parking brake by holding the
regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 5‑24.
A chime sounds and the warning
light flashes when the parking brake
is applied and the vehicle is moving
at least 8 km/h (5 mph). To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then
pull the bottom edge of the lever
with the parking brake symbol,
located above the parking brake
pedal.
If the ignition is on when the parking
brake is released, the brake system
warning light goes off.
Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on any hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑75.

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Driving and Operating 9-55
For vehicles without a release
handle, set the parking brake by
holding the regular brake pedal
down, then pushing down the
parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 5‑24.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the park brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will flash and a
chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑75.
Brake Assist
If this vehicle has StabiliTrak®, it
also has a Brake Assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Non‐hybrid vehicles with StabiliTrak
have a Hill Start Assist (HSA)
feature, which may be useful when
the vehicle is stopped on a grade.
This feature is designed to prevent
the vehicle from rolling, either

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-56 Driving and Operating
forward or rearward, during vehicle
drive off. After the driver completely
stops and holds the vehicle in a
complete standstill on a grade, HSA
will be automatically activated.
During the transition period between
when the driver releases the brake
pedal and starts to accelerate to
drive off on a grade, HSA holds the
braking pressure for a maximum of
two seconds to ensure that there is
no rolling. The brakes will
automatically release when the
accelerator pedal is applied within
the two‐second window. If the
vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, HSA may also apply
the trailer brakes. It will not activate
if the vehicle is in a drive gear and
facing downhill or if the vehicle is
facing uphill and in R (Reverse).
There may be situations on minor
hills (less than 5% grade) with a
loaded vehicle or while pulling a
trailer where HSA will not activate.Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer-controlled system that
assists the driver with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to assist the
driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
StabiliTrak is on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist with directional control of the
vehicle, the system should always
be left on. Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) is also on automatically when
the vehicle is started. SeeTrailer
Sway Control (TSC) on page 9‑104. When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to insure there are no problems.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. See
Cruise Control on
page 9‑59.
If the system fails to turn on or
activate, the StabiliTrak light along
with a message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If a DIC message appears, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not
been turned off using the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
button. Then turn the vehicle off,
wait 15 seconds, and then turn it
back on again to reset the system.
If any of the messages still appear
on the DIC, the vehicle should be

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Driving and Operating 9-57
taken in for service. For more
information on the DIC messages,
seeRide Control System Messages
on page 5‑42.
The StabiliTrak light will flash on the
instrument panel cluster when the
system or the TSC feature is both
on and activated.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working; this is normal.
The TCS/StabiliTrak button is
located on the instrument panel. The traction control part of
StabiliTrak can be turned off by
pressing and releasing the TCS/
StabiliTrak button if both systems
(traction control and StabiliTrak)
were previously on.
To disable both TCS and
StabiliTrak, press and hold the TCS/
StabiliTrak button until the
StabiliTrak OFF light illuminates and
the appropriate DIC message
displays. This will also disable the
TSC feature.
Traction control and StabiliTrak can
be turned on by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak button
if they are not automatically shut off
for any other reason. This will also
enable the TSC feature.
When the TCS or StabiliTrak system
is turned off, the StabiliTrak light
and the appropriate message will be
displayed on the DIC to warn the
driver. The vehicle will still have
brake-traction control when traction
control is off, but will not be able to
use the engine speed management
system. See
“Traction Control
Operation” next for more
information.
When the TCS has been turned off,
system noises may still be heard as
a result of the brake-traction control
coming on.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow,
and you want to “rock”the vehicle to
attempt to free it. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road
conditions where high wheel spin is
required. See If the Vehicle Is Stuck
on page 9‑14.

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-58 Driving and Operating
When the transfer case is in 4LO,
the stability system is automatically
disabled, the StabiliTrak light comes
on, and the appropriate message
will appear on the DIC. Both traction
control and StabiliTrak are
automatically disabled in this
condition.
Traction Control Operation
The TCS is part of the StabiliTrak
system. Traction control limits wheel
spin by reducing engine power to
the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as
necessary.
The TCS is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started. It will
activate and the StabiliTrak light will
flash if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction while driving. If traction
control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of
traction control will work. The
engine speed management will bedisabled. In this mode, engine
power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin
more freely. This can cause the
brake-traction control to activate
constantly.
Notice:
If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak
®, ABS, brake
warning lights, and any relevant
DIC messages are displayed, the
transfer case could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Reduce
engine power and do not spin the
wheel(s) excessively while these
lights and messages are
displayed.
The TCS may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions
such as heavy acceleration while
turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this
happens, a reduction in acceleration
may be noticed, or a noise or
vibration may be heard. This is
normal. If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will flash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. See
Cruise
Control on page 9‑59.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself
after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer for service.
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
See Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on
page 9‑104.
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a Hill
Start Assist (HSA) feature. See Hill
Start Assist (HSA) on page 9‑55.
Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
Driving and Operating 9-59
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can
give more traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand, or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but
when traction is low, this feature will
allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Cruise Control
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
For vehicles with cruise control, a
speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or
more can be maintained without
keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 40 km/h
(25 mph).
When the brakes are applied, cruise
control is turned off. For vehicles with an Allison or
Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic
transmission, see
“Grade Braking”
under Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑38
for an explanation of how cruise
control interacts with the Range
Selection Mode, tow/haul and grade
braking systems.
For vehicles with the StabiliTrak
system that begins to limit wheel
spin while you are using cruise
control, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑56.
When road conditions allow the
cruise control to be safely used
again, it can be turned back on.

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/13/12
9-60 Driving and Operating
I(On/Off):Press to turn the
system on or off. The indicator light
is on when cruise control is on and
turns off when cruise control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press briefly to resume to a
previously set speed, or press and
hold to accelerate.
SET −(Set/Coast): Press to set
the speed and activate cruise
control or make the vehicle
decelerate.
[(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
The cruise control light on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on after the cruise control has been
set to the desired speed.
1. Press
I.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET− button located
on the steering wheel and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator. Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press the +RES button on the
steering wheel. The vehicle returns
to the previous set speed and stays
there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press and hold the +RES button
on the steering wheel until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small amounts, press the +RES
button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.