Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Instruments and Controls 159
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chimemay sound if the transmission fluidin the vehicle gets hot. Driving withthe transmission fluid temperaturehigh can cause damage to thevehicle. Stop the vehicle and let itidle to allow the transmission tocool. This message clears and thechime stops when the fluidtemperature reaches a safe level.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Modeto prevent damage to the engine ortransmission. SeeTo w / H a u lMode0282.
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW
This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in 4nfor about
10 minutes above 72 km/h (45 mph).
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the IntegratedTrailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,this message may display and achime may sound when one of thefollowing conditions exists:
.Atrailerwithelectricbrakesbecomes disconnected from thevehicle.
⇣If the disconnect occurs whilethe vehicle is stopped, thismessage clears itself after ashort time.
⇣If the disconnect occurs whilethe vehicle is moving, thismessage stays on until theignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring tothe electric trailer brakes.
When this message displays, poweris no longer available to the trailerbrakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so,carefully pull the vehicle over to theside of the road and turn the ignitionoff. Check the wiring connection tothe trailer and turn the ignition backon. This message clears if the traileris reconnected. This message alsoclears if you acknowledge it. If thismessage still displays, either thevehicle or the trailer needs service.See your dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer BrakeControl System”underTo w i n gEquipment0335.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when iceconditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the IntegratedTrailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,this message displays briefly whenatrailerwithelectricorelectricoverhydraulic brakes is first connectedto the vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
160 Instruments and Controls
This message clears itself afterseveral seconds. This message alsoclears if you acknowledge it. Afterthis message clears, the TRAILERGAIN and OUTPUT displays appearin the DIC.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)(Base Level)0145orDriverInformation Center (DIC) (Uplevel)0147and“Integrated Trailer BrakeControl System”underTo w i n gEquipment0335.
Vehicle Speed Messages
REDUCE SPEED FOR HILL
DESCENT CONTROL
This message displays whenattempting to enable Hill DescentControl (HDC) when the vehiclespeed is too high. SeeHill DescentControl (HDC)0297.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when thewindshield washer fluid is low. Fillthe windshield washer fluid reservoiras soon as possible. SeeEngineCompartment Overview0354forthe location of the windshieldwasher fluid reservoir. Also, seeWasher Fluid0375for moreinformation.
Vehicle
Personalization
Use the audio system controls toaccess the personalization menusfor customizing vehicle features.
The following are all possiblepersonalization features. Dependingon the vehicle, some may not beavailable.
Base Radio Audio SystemControls
MENU :Press to enter menus andselect menu items. Turn to scrollthrough the menus.
oBACK :Press to return to theprevious menu or exit.
Base Radio with TouchscreenAudio System Controls
{:Press to access the HomePage Menu.
QorR:To u c h t o s c r o l l t h r o u g h t h emenus or setup items.
0:To u c h t o e x i t o r r e t u r n t o t h eprevious screen or menu.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
246 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 247Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 248Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 250Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 255Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 256Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 258Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 259Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 267Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 269Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 272Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 275Parking (ManualTransmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275Parking over ThingsThat Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275Active Fuel Management®.... 275
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 277Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280To w / H a u l M o d e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 2
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 283
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 294
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 297Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 301Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 302Assistance Systems forDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304Forward AutomaticBraking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306Lane Departure Warning(LDW) (2500/3500Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 312
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
248 Driving and Operating
Refer to the infotainment section formore information on using thatsystem and the navigation system,if equipped, including pairing andusing a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“alwaysexpect the unexpected.”The firststep in driving defensively is to wearthe safety belt. SeeSafetyBelts066.
.Assume that other road users(pedestrians, bicyclists, andother drivers) are going to becareless and make mistakes.Anticipate what they might doand be ready.
.Allow enough following distancebetween you and the driver infront of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated withdrinking and driving is a globaltragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
asmallamountofalcohol.You
can have a serious—or even
fatal—collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
adriverwhohasbeendrinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and acceleratingare important factors in helping tocontrol a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perceptiontime and reaction time. Deciding topush the brake pedal is perceptiontime. Actually doing it isreaction time.
Average driver reaction time isabout three-quarters of a second. Inthat time, a vehicle moving at100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m(66 ft), which could be a lot ofdistance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mindinclude:
.Keep enough distance betweenyou and the vehicle in frontof you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while thevehicle is being driven, brakenormally but do not pump thebrakes. Doing so could make thepedal harder to push down. If theengine stops, there will be somepower brake assist but it will beused when the brake is applied.Once the power assist is used up, itcan take longer to stop and thebrake pedal will be harder to push.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
250 Driving and Operating
Curve Tips
.Ta k e c u r v e s a t a r e a s o n a b l espeed.
.Reduce speed before entering acurve.
.Maintain a reasonable steadyspeed through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out ofthe curve before acceleratinggently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations whensteering around a problem maybe more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of thesteering wheel allows you to turn180 degrees without removingahand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can dropoff the edge of a road onto theshoulder while driving. Followthese tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in theway, steer the vehicle so that itstraddles the edge of thepavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel aboutone-eighth of a turn, until theright front tire contacts thepavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids thatcorrespond to the vehicle's threecontrol systems:
.Braking Skid—wheels are notrolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid—too much speed or steering in acurve causes tires to slip andlose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid—too muchthrottle causes the drivingwheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skidsby taking reasonable care suited toexisting conditions, and by notoverdriving those conditions. Butskids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, followthese suggestions:
.Ease your foot off theaccelerator pedal and steer theway you want the vehicle to go.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 251
The vehicle may straighten out.Be ready for a second skid if itoccurs.
.Slow down and adjust yourdriving according to weatherconditions. Stopping distancecan be longer and vehiclecontrol can be affected whentraction is reduced by water,snow, ice, gravel, or othermaterial on the road. Learn torecognize warning clues—suchas enough water, ice, or packedsnow on the road to make amirrored surface—and slowdown when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,acceleration, or braking,including reducing vehicle speedby shifting to a lower gear. Anysudden changes could causethe tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes helpavoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can beused for off-road driving. Vehicleswithout four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with AllTe r r a i n ( AT ) o r O n - O f f R o a d ( O O R )tires must not be driven off-roadexcept on a level, solid surface. Forcontact information about theoriginal equipment tires, see thewarranty manual.
One of the best ways for successfuloff-road driving is to control thespeed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear safety belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenanceand service work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,and check inflation pressure inall tires, including the spare,if equipped.
.Read all the information aboutfour-wheel-drive vehicles in thismanual.
.Remove any underbody airdeflector, if equipped. Re-attachthe air deflector after off-roaddriving.
.SeeHill Descent Control(HDC)0297
.Know the local laws that apply tooff-road driving.
To g a i n m o r e g r o u n d c l e a r a n c e i fneeded, it may be necessary toremove the front fascia lower airdam. However, driving without theair dam reduces fuel economy.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for
extended periods without the front
fascia lower air dam installed can
cause improper airflow to the
engine. Reattach the front fascia
air dam after off-road driving.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 253
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause an accident.
There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be
seriously injured or killed. As you
near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
.Never go downhill forward orbackward with either thetransmission or transfer case inN(Neutral).Thebrakescouldoverheat and you could losecontrol.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two⇣speed
automatic transfer case, shifting
the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll
even if the transmission is in
P(Park).Thisisbecausethe
N(Neutral)positiononthe
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone
else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake
and shift the transmission to
P(Park).Shiftthetransfercaseto
any position but N (Neutral).
.When driving down a hill, keepthe vehicle headed straightdown. Use a low gear becausethe engine will work with thebrakes to slow the vehicle andhelp keep the vehicle undercontrol.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down
ahillcancauseyourbrakesto
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
descending a hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under
control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill:
1. Apply the brakes to stop thevehicle, and then apply theparking brake.
2. Shift into P (Park) and thenrestart the engine.
.If driving uphill when thevehicle stalls, shift toR(Reverse),releasetheparking brake, and backstraight down.
.Never try to turn the vehiclearound. If the hill is steepenough to stall the vehicle,it is steep enough to causeit to roll over.
.If you cannot make it up thehill, back straight downthe hill.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
254 Driving and Operating
.Never back down a hill inN(Neutral)usingonlythebrake. The vehicle can rollbackward quickly and youcould lose control.
.If driving downhill when thevehicle stalls, shift to alower gear, release theparking brake, and drivestraight down the hill.
3. If the vehicle cannot berestarted after stalling, set theparking brake, shift intoP(Park),andturnthevehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle andseek help.
3.2. Stay clear of the path thevehicle would take if itrolled downhill.
.Avoid turns that take the vehicleacross the incline of the hill.Ahillthatcanbedrivenstraightup or down might be too steep todrive across. Driving across anincline puts more weight on the
downhill wheels, which couldcause a downhill slide or arollover.
.Surface conditions can be aproblem. Loose gravel, muddyspots, or even wet grass cancause the tires to slip sideways,downhill. If the vehicle slipssideways, it can hit somethingthat will trip it—arock,arut,etc.—and roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make thesteepness of the incline moresevere. If a rock is driven acrosswith the uphill wheels, or if thedownhill wheels drop into a rutor depression, the vehicle can tilteven more.
.If an incline must be drivenacross, and the vehicle starts toslide, turn downhill. This shouldhelp straighten out the vehicleand prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped
across an incline is dangerous.
If the vehicle rolls over, you could
be crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving inmud—the deeper the mud, thelower the gear. Keep the vehiclemoving to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving onsand. On loose sand, such as onbeaches or sand dunes, the tirestend to sink into the sand. Thisaffects steering, accelerating, andbraking. Drive at a reduced speedand avoid sharp turns or abruptmaneuvers.