
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Driving and Operating 209
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0213.
From ON/RUN, push the key all the
way in toward the steering column,
then turn the key to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
If the key is left in ACC/
ACCESSORY with the engine off,
the battery could drain and the
vehicle may not start.
A warning chime will sound when
the driver door is opened and the
key is in the ignition.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position. If the key is left in ON/RUN with the
engine off, the battery could drain
and the vehicle may not start.
3 (START) :
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
returns to ON/RUN for driving.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
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.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 318.
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when 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.
Starting Procedure
1. For Key Access vehicles, turn the ignition key to Start. When
the engine starts, let go of the
key. For Keyless Access
vehicles, the RKE transmitter
must be in the vehicle. Press
ENGINE START/STOP with the
brake pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go
of the button.
The driver may observe a
minor, and temporary, brake
pedal kickback when starting
the vehicle. This is normal.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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210 Driving and Operating
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light
is on and the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message is displayed in
the Driver Information Center
(DIC), hold the ignition switch
in the START position to
continue 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 start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there
while holding the key in START
or ENGINE START/STOP for
up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key or
button and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Stop/Start System
If equipped, the Stop/Start system
will shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has components
designed for the increased number
of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature causes the engine to shut
off while the vehicle is still on. Do
not exit the vehicle before shifting
to P (Park). The vehicle may
restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then
turn the ignition off before exiting
the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See Tachometer
0 129. When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator pedal is
pressed, the engine will restart.
To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the
engine to automatically restart
before the brake pedal is released.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 213
Warning (Continued)
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
. While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on
to off, the following features (if
equipped) will continue to function
for up to 10 minutes, or until the
driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the
ignition is in RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY:
. Infotainment System
. Power Windows (during RAP
this functionality will be lost
when any door is opened)
. Sunroof (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when
any door is opened)
. Auxiliary Power Outlet
. Audio System
. OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. With four-wheel drive,
if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear. If towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0283.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. See
Electric Parking Brake 0229.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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214 Driving and Operating
2. Move the shift lever intoP (Park) by pulling the shift
lever toward you and moving it
up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case, if equipped, is in a drive gear,
not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition off. For Key Access, push the ignition key
in, toward the steering column,
and then turn the ignition off.
5. For Key Access, remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave the vehicle with the
ignition key in your hand, the
vehicle is in P (Park).
For Keyless Access, take the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter with you.Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and
the transfer case is in N (Neutral),
the vehicle will be free to roll,
even if the shift lever is in
P (Park). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear –not in
N (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You
or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine
running unless you have to. If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After moving the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pulling it toward
you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before you leave the
driver seat.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
you release the parking brake.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 215
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission. You will then be
able to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The system is designed to prevent
movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the brake pedal is
applied and the ignition is on or in
Service Mode.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage–less
than 9 volt –battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged or
low voltage battery, try charging or
jump starting the battery. See Jump
Starting - North America 0415. To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake if it is applied. See Electric Parking
Brake 0229.
3. Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired
position, and release.
If the vehicle still cannot be shifted
out of P (Park): 1. Ease the pressure on, or release the shift lever.
2. While holding the brake pedal, push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park).
3. Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired
position, and release.
If there is still a problem shifting,
have the vehicle serviced soon.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
If equipped, Active Fuel
Management allows the gasoline
engine to operate on either all of its
cylinders, or a reduced number of
cylinders, depending on the driving
conditions. When less power is
required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system
will enable reduced cylinder
operation, allowing the vehicle to
achieve better fuel economy. When
greater power is required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 217
Warning (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle: . Drive it only with the
windows completely down.
. Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park 0213 and
Engine Exhaust 0216.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0283.
Automatic
Transmission
If equipped, there is an electronic
shift lever position indicator within
the instrument cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY, on or
service mode.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See Driver Mode Control 0234 and
“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode 0220.
P : This position locks the rear
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially
when the vehicle has a heavy load,
you might notice an increase in the

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 225
automatically based on driving
conditions. This setting provides
slightly lower fuel economy than 2
m.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this setting when extra traction is
needed, such as when driving on
snowy or icy roads, when
off-roading, or when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting engages the front axle and
delivers extra torque. Choose 4
n
when driving off-road in deep sand,
deep mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
While driving in 4
n, keep vehicle
speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0231.
Shifts between 2
m, 4m, and AUTO
Any of these shifts can be made at
normal driving speed. The actual 4x4 shift request is only
made after the button is released.
The 4x4 graphic will remain flashing
until the shift request has
completed. A DIC message displays
to indicate that the 4x4 transfer case
has been requested to shift to the
new desired state.
Once the 4x4 shift has completed,
the DIC message disappears, the
4x4 graphic stops flashing, and the
current setting is indicated.
When a shift to 2
mis completed
successfully while in P (Park), the
parking brake will engage. To
resume driving, shift the
transmission to the desired gear
and manually release the parking
brake or press the accelerator pedal
to begin driving. See Electric
Parking Brake 0229.
If equipped, use 4
n, AUTO, or 4mto
provide additional traction when
parking on a steep grade with poor
traction such as ice, snow, mud,
or gravel. Shifting Into 4
n
1. The ignition must be on and
the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the transmission
in N (Neutral). It is best for the
vehicle to be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).
2. Press 4
n. The actual 4x4 shift
request is only made after the
button is released. The 4x4
graphic will remain flashing
until the shift request has
completed. A DIC message
displays to indicate that the 4x4
transfer case has been
requested to shift to the new
desired state.
Once the 4x4 shift has
completed, the DIC message
disappears, the 4x4 graphic
stops flashing and the current
setting is indicated.
If vehicle speed is higher when shift
request occurs, a DIC message
displays. Reduce vehicle speed.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 Driving and Operating
If the transmission is not in
N (Neutral) when shift request
occurs, a DIC message displays.
The vehicle will allow 20 seconds
for the shift to occur. After this time,
a graphic in the instrument cluster
will indicate that the transfer case is
in 4
n.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
If the transmission is not shifted into
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not
slowed to 5 km/h (3 mph) within
20 seconds, the transfer case will
remain in its original state. This will
be indicated in the instrument
cluster.
With the vehicle moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph) and the transmission
in N (Neutral), attempt the shift
again. Shifting Out of 4
n
1. The vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the transmission
in N (Neutral) and the ignition
on. It is best for the vehicle to
be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).
2. Press 4
m, AUTO, or 2m. The
actual 4x4 shift request is only
made after the button is
released. The 4x4 graphic will
remain flashing until the shift
request has completed. A DIC
message displays to indicate
the state of the request.
Once the 4x4 shift has
completed, the DIC message
disappears, the 4x4 graphic
stops flashing, and the current
setting is indicated.
If vehicle speed is higher when
shift request occurs, a DIC
message displays. Reduce
vehicle speed. If the transmission is not in
N (Neutral) when shift request
occurs, DIC messages will display.
The vehicle will allow 20 seconds
for this shift to occur. After this time,
a graphic in the instrument cluster
will indicate that the transfer case is
in 4
n.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
If the transmission is not shifted into
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not
slowed to 5 km/h (3 mph) within
20 seconds, the transfer case will
remain in its original state. This will
be indicated in the instrument
cluster.
With the vehicle moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph), and the
transmission in N (Neutral), attempt
the shift again.