Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 255
Traction is reduced on hard packedsnow and ice and it is easy to losecontrol. Reduce vehicle speed whendriving on hard packed snowand ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,drive slowly through it. At fasterspeeds, water splashes and thevehicle can stall. When goingthrough water, the brakes get wetand it may take longer to stop. See“Driving on Wet Roads”later in thissection.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris thathas collected on the underbody orchassis, or under the hood. Theseaccumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,have the brake linings cleaned andchecked. These substances cancause glazing and uneven braking.Check the body structure, steering,suspension, wheels, tires, andexhaust system for damage andcheck the fuel lines and coolingsystem for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance serviceis required. See theMaintenanceSchedule0452.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reducevehicle traction and affect yourability to stop and accelerate.Always drive slower in these typesof driving conditions and avoiddriving through large puddles anddeep-standing or flowing water.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
256 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Watercan build up under the vehicle'stires so they actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road iswet enough and you are going fastenough. When the vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or nocontact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule abouthydroplaning. The best advice is toslow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wetweather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wipingequipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluidreservoir filled.
.Have good tires with propertread depth. SeeTires0397.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or throughmountains is different than drivingon flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and ingood shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,tires, cooling system, andtransmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when goingdown steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 257
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep thevehicle in its own lane. Do notswing wide or cross thecenter line.
.Be alert on top of hills;something could be in your lane(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special roadsigns (e.g., falling rocks area,winding roads, long grades,passing or no-passing zones)and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires andthe road creates less traction orgrip, so drive carefully. Wet ice canoccur at about 0 °C (32 °F) whenfreezing rain begins to fall. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rainuntil roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Acceleratingtoo quickly causes the wheels tospin and makes the surfaceunder the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i cStability Control0295.
.The Antilock Brake System(ABS) improves vehicle stabilityduring hard stops, but thebrakes should be applied soonerthan when on dry pavement.SeeAntilock Brake System(ABS)0292.
.Allow greater following distanceand watch for slippery spots. Icypatches can occur on otherwiseclear roads in shaded areas.The surface of a curve or anoverpass can remain icy whenthe surrounding roads are clear.Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking whileon ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place andsignal for help. Stay with the vehicleunless there is help nearby.If possible, use RoadsideAssistance. SeeRoadsideAssistance Program0476.Togethelp and keep everyone in thevehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warningflashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outsidemirror.
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Driving and Operating 267
should not exceed the vehicle's
gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). These ratings are
given on the Certification/Tire
label attached to the B-pillar.
See“Certification/Tire Label”
underVehicle Load Limits
0259.Ifweightratingsare
exceeded, move or remove
items to bring all weights below
the ratings.
See your dealer for more
information on curb weights,
cargo weights, Cargo Weight
Rating, and the correct center of
gravity zone.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Keep the vehicle speed at88 km/h (55 mph) or less forthe first 805 km (500 mi).
.Do not drive at any oneconstant speed, fast or slow,for the first 805 km (500 mi).Do not make full-throttlestarts. Avoid downshifting tobrake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops forthe first 322 km (200 mi) orso. During this time the newbrake linings are not yetbroken in. Hard stops withnew linings can mean
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
premature wear and earlierreplacement. Follow thisbreaking-in guideline everytime you get new brakelinings.
.Do not tow a trailer duringbreak-in. SeeTr a i l e r To w i n g0318for the trailer towingcapabilities of the vehicleand more information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal
If equipped, the position of thethrottle and brake pedals can bechanged.
The pedals can only be adjustedwhen the vehicle is in P (Park).
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
268 Driving and Operating
The switch used to adjust thepedals is on the center stack, belowthe climate controls.
Lift the switch up to move thepedals closer to your body. Pressthe switch down to move thepedals away.
Before you start driving, fully pressthe brake pedal to confirm theadjustment is right for you.
The vehicle may have a memoryfunction, which lets pedal settingsbe saved and recalled. SeeMemorySeats061.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four differentpositions.
To s h i f t o u t o f P ( P a r k ) , t h e i g n i t i o nmust be in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brakepedal must be applied.
0(STOPPINGTHEENGINE/LOCK/OFF) :When the vehicle is stopped,turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off. RetainedAccessory Power (RAP) will remainactive. SeeRetained AccessoryPower (RAP)0271.
This position locks the ignition andsteering wheel. It also locks thetransmission on automatictransmission vehicles. The key canbe removed in LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with thewheels turned off center. If thishappens, move the steering wheelfrom right to left while turning thekey to ACC/ACCESSORY. If thisdoes not work, then the vehicleneeds service.
Do not turn the engine off when thevehicle is moving. This will cause aloss of power assist in the brakeand steering systems and disablethe airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in anemergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump thebrakes repeatedly. This maydeplete power assist, requiringincreased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).This can be done while thevehicle is moving. After shiftingto N (Neutral), continue to
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 269
firmly apply the brakes andsteer the vehicle to a safelocation.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shiftto P (Park) with an automatictransmission, or Neutral with amanual transmission. Turn theignition to LOCK/OFF.
4. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake0293.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,and must be shut off while driving,turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
On vehicles with an automatictransmission, the shift lever must bein P (Park) to turn the ignition switchto LOCK/OFF.
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
1(ACC/ACCESSORY):Thisposition lets things like the radioand the windshield wipers operatewhile the engine is off. It alsounlocks the steering wheel. Use thisposition if the vehicle must bepushed or towed.
2(ON/RUN):This position can beused to operate the electricalaccessories and to display someinstrument cluster warning andindicator lights. This position canalso be used for service anddiagnostics, and to verify the properoperation of the malfunctionindicator lamp as may be requiredfor emission inspection purposes.The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. Thetransmission is also unlocked in thisposition on automatic transmissionvehicles.
If the key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN positionwith the engine off, the battery couldbe drained. The vehicle may notstart if the battery is allowed to drainfor an extended period of time.
3(START):This is the position thatstarts the engine. When the enginestarts, release the key. The ignitionswitch returns to ON/RUN fordriving.
Awarningtonewillsoundwhenthedriver door is opened, the ignition isin ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,see the Duramax dieselsupplement.
For an eAssist vehicle, see theSilverado/Sierra eAssistsupplement.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
270 Driving and Operating
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeAdd-On Electrical
Equipment0345.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
may occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.
Place the transmission in theproper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) orN(Neutral). To restart the enginewhen the vehicle is already moving,use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutraland the parking brake engaged.Hold the clutch pedal down to thefloor and start the engine.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off theaccelerator pedal, turn theignition key to START. Whenthe engine starts, let go of thekey. The idle speed will godown as the engine gets warm.Do not race the engineimmediately after starting it.
Operate the engine andtransmission gently to allow theoil to warm up and lubricate allmoving parts.
When the low fuel warning lightis on and the FUEL LEVELLOW message is displayed inthe Driver Information Center(DIC), hold the ignition switchin the START position tocontinue engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not startafter five to 10 seconds,especially in very cold weather(below✓18 °C or 0 °F), it couldbe flooded with too much
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 271
gasoline. Try pushing theaccelerator pedal all the way tothe floor and holding it therewhile holding the key in STARTfor up to 15 seconds. Wait atleast 15 seconds between eachtry, to allow the cranking motorto cool down. When the enginestarts, let go of the key andaccelerator. If the vehicle startsbriefly but then stops again, dothe same thing. This clears theextra gasoline from the engine.Do not race the engineimmediately after starting it.Operate the engine andtransmission gently until the oilwarms up and lubricates allmoving parts.
Fast Idle System
If equipped, this feature is availableonly with cruise control. The manualfast idle switch is operated using thecruise control buttons on the leftside of the steering wheel.
This system can be used toincrease engine idle speedwhenever the following conditionsare met:
.The parking brake is set.
.The brake pedal is not pressed.
.The vehicle must not be movingand the accelerator must not bepressed.
To c o n t r o l t h e f a s t i d l e :
.To e n a b l e t h e F a s t I d l e S y s t e m ,press and release the cruisecontrol on/off button and ensurethat the switch indicator lightis lit.
.Press and release the cruisecontrol SET- button. Enginespeed will be held atapproximately 1200 rpm.
One of the following actions will turnoff the fast idle:
.Pressing the brake.
.Selecting the cruise controlcancel button.
.Releasing the parking brake.
.Moving the transmission shiftlever out of P (Park) orN(Neutral).
.Selecting the cruise control on/off button when it waspreviously on.
.Pressing the cruise control SET-button a second time.
.Pressing the accelerator morethan one-quarter of theway down.
.Turning the ignition switch to theLOCK/OFF position.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessoriescan be used for up to 10 minutesafter the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the keyis in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is