2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO engine overheat

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
346 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant.
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.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90 °C (195 °F).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Vehicle Care 347
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating. There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0131.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 462.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
2.7L L4, 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L
V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced. If the engine or transmission detects
an impending hot fluid condition,
then the transmission may force
upshifts to limit temperatures.
Downshifts may also be prevented
in this instance. Normal operation
may continue unless the display
indicates there is a hot condition
and engine should be idled.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
348 Vehicle Care
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem.
The 2.7L L4 engine will shut down
automatically if the ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
message displays.
If there is an engine overheat
warning, but no steam is seen or
heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer; see Trailer Towing
0 288. If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away. If there is still no sign of steam and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message displays, an
overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps to prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Vehicle Care 349
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
If the engine or transmission detects
an impending hot fluid condition,
then the transmission may force
upshifts to limit temperatures.
Downshifts may also be prevented
in this instance. Normal operation
may continue unless the display
indicates there is a hot condition
and engine should be idled.
Caution
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil 0335.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
All Engines Except 6.6L
V8 Engine (L8T)
The vehicle has electric cooling
fan(s). The fans may be heard
spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
high outside temperatures,
or operation of the air conditioning
system, the fans may change to
high speed and an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and indicates that the cooling
system is functioning properly. The
fans will change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
The electric engine cooling fans
may run after the engine has been
turned off. This is normal and no
service is required.
6.6L V8 Engine (L8T) Only
The vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when
starting the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch partially
disengages.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
484 Index
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 471
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 470
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Diagnostics
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 480
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . 239
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 457
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 252
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145, 146
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . 142
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 264
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 183 Driving (cont'd)
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 194
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 196
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 229
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 137
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 366 Electrical System (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370, 372
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 328
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 130
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
488 Index
Locks (cont'd)Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 143
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 437
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 135
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Messages Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Messages (cont'd)
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Mirror Rear Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Mirrors Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Blind Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Trailer Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 42
Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Driver Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
N
NavigationConnected Services . . . . . . . . . . 478
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . 357
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 337
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . 130
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 82
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 461
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Operating Mode Overheated EngineProtection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Operation Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . 348

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Index 489
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
OverviewInstrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
P
ParkShifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Parking Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 359
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 215
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 253
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 75
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 140
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 325
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Pickup Conversion to
Chassis Cab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Power
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 213
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 67
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 470
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 464
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Proposition
65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .325, 354, 415, Back Cover
Publication Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 468
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Rear Axle (cont'd)
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 253
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276, 277
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Records
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 420
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 16
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Replacement Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450