Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/27/15
Driving and Operating 349
.White: Ground
. White/Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Green: Battery Feed
. Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
If the vehicle is equipped with the
heavy-duty trailering option, see
“Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is
ordered without the heavy-duty
trailering package, a seven-wire
harness with a seven-pin connector
is at the rear of the vehicle and is
tied to the vehicle's frame.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller.
The harness should be installed by
your dealer or a qualified service
center.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode is on. Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. See
Tow/Haul
Mode 0295.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0330. Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/27/15
354 Driving and Operating
A GM dealer may be able to
diagnose and repair problems with
the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not
covered under the vehicle warranty.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
TSC feature. Trailer sway is
unintended side-to-side motion of a
trailer while being towed. If the
vehicle is towing a trailer and the
TSC detects that sway is increasing,
the vehicle brakes are selectively
applied at each wheel, to help
reduce excessive trailer sway. If the
vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, and the trailer has
the electric actuated brake system,
StabiliTrak may also apply the trailer
brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on theinstrument cluster. Vehicle speed
must be reduced. If trailer sway
continues, StabiliTrak can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0308.
{Warning
Even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC, trailer sway could result
in loss of control and the vehicle
could crash. If excessive trailer
sway is detected, slow down to a
safe speed. Check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes. These could include an
improperly or overloaded trailer,
unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration,
excessive vehicle-trailer speed,
or improperly inflated or incorrect
vehicle or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0345 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations. Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications
0362.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/27/15
Driving and Operating 355
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 143. A device connected to the
DLC —such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 087 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 087.
For information on wiring auxiliary
switches, see www.gmupfitter.com
or contact your dealer.
Adding a Snow Plow or
Similar Equipment
Caution
Do not exceed 64 km/h (40 mph)
with a snow plow mounted to the
vehicle. The vehicle could
overheat and be damaged.
Before installing a snow plow on the
vehicle, here are some things you
need to know:
Caution
If the vehicle does not have the
snow plow prep package, adding
a plow can damage the vehicle,
and the repairs would not be
covered by warranty. Unless the
vehicle was built to carry a snow
plow, do not add one to the
vehicle. If the vehicle has the
snow plow prep package, called
RPO VYU, then the payload the
vehicle can carry will be reduced (Continued)
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
360 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 361
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 362
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 372
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 373
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 376
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 376
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 377
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 382 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Power Steering Fluid (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Battery - North America . . . . . . 388
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 392
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 393
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 394
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 394
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 395
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Electrical System Overload . . . 399
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 377
side of the reservoir. The hydraulic
clutch fluid system should be closed
and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top-off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see“8-Cylinder Pickup Models”
under “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in
the Duramax diesel supplement for
the correct inspection and
replacement procedures.
The engine air cleaner/filter is near
the center of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0364.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air filter, see
Maintenance Schedule 0462.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Screws
2. Electrical Connectors
3. Air Duct Clamp
1. Locate the air cleaner/filter
assembly. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0364.
2. Disconnect the outlet duct by loosening the air duct
clamp (3).
3. Disconnect the electrical connectors (2) and the
connector harness from the
cover.
4. Remove the four screws (1) on top of the cover of the housing
and lift up the cover.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 381
5.3L V8 Shown, 4.3L V6, 6.0L V8,and 6.2L V8 Similar
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see“Cooling System” in the
Duramax diesel supplement for the
proper coolant fill procedure.
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant.
Light-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure CapHeavy-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 387
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in Capacities and
Specifications 0478.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 364 for the location of the
reservoir. There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
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 fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
388 Vehicle Care
{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.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0144.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0462.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0364.
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 MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0472.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0364 for battery location.