2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
222 Driving and Operating
Caution
Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged,
and the repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If equipped, there are recovery hooks at the
front of the vehicle. Use them if the vehicle
is stuck off-road and needs to be pulled
some place to continue driving.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry: the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading
Information label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (2) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information label
also shows the size of the original
equipment tires (3) and the
recommended cold tire inflation

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Driving and Operating 223
pressures (4). For more information on
tires and inflation seeTires0361 and
Tire Pressure 0367.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle Certification/
Tire label. It may show the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axles. See
“Certification/Tire Label” later in this
section.
“Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs.
and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.”
See Trailer Towing 0292 for important
information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules, and trailering tips.
Example 1
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1
= (453 kg) (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 2 = 136 kg (300 lb)
3. Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = 317 kg (700 lb)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
224 Driving and Operating
Example 2
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2= 453 kg (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 5 = 340 kg (750 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 113 kg (250 lb)
Example 3
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3= 453 kg (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg (200 lb) × 5 = 453 kg (1,000 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lb)
Refer to the Tire and Loading
Information label for specific
information about the vehicle's capacity
weight and seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never
exceed the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle-specific Certification/Tire label
is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the inflation
pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of the vehicle. This is
called Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also may
show the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To determine

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Driving and Operating 225
the actual loads on the front and rear
axles, weigh the vehicle at a weigh
station. Your dealer can help with this.
Be sure to spread the load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
The Certification/Tire label also contains
important information about the Front
Axle Reserve Capacity. SeeAdding a
Snow Plow or Similar Equipment 0317.
{Warning
In the case of a sudden stop or
collision, things carried in the bed of
your truck could shift forward and
come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck, you
should make sure they are properly
secured.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help load the vehicle the
right way.
{Warning
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden
stop or turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever
you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to. There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in this
manual. See
“Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving“ underOff-Road
Driving 0215.
Two-Tiered Loading
Depending on the model of the pickup,
an upper load platform can be created
by positioning three or four 5 cm (2 in)
by 15 cm (6 in) wooden planks across
the width of the pickup box. The planks
must be inserted in the pickup box
depressions.
When using this upper load platform,
be sure the load is securely tied down
to prevent it from shifting. The load's
center of gravity should be positioned
in a zone over the rear axle. The zone is
located in the area between the front
of each wheel well and the rear of each
wheel well. The center of gravity height
must not extend above the top of the
pickup box flareboard.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
226 Driving and Operating
Any load that extends beyond the
vehicle's taillamp area must be properly
marked according to local laws and
regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.
Add-On Equipment
When carrying removable items, a limit
on how many people carried inside the
vehicle may be necessary. Be sure to
weigh the vehicle before buying and
installing the new equipment.Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle. * Equipment Maximum Weight
Ladder Rack and
Cargo
340 kg (750 lb)
Cross Toolbox and
Cargo 181 kg (400 lb)
Side Boxes and
Cargo 113 kg per side
(250 lb per side)
* The combined weight for all
rail-mounted equipment should not
exceed 454 kg (1,000 lb).
Loading Points
1. Primary Load Points
2. Secondary Load Areas
3. GM Approved Accessory Mounting Points
Structural members (1) and (2) are included
in the pickup box design. Additional
accessories should use these load points.
Depending on the accessory design, use a
spacer under the accessory at the load
points to remove gap. The holes for GM
approved accessories (3) are not intended for
aftermarket equipment. See
www.gmupfitter.com for additional pickup
box load bearing structural information.
Truck-Camper Loading Information
A vehicle-specific Truck-Camper Loading
Information label is attached to the
inside of the vehicle's glove box. This
label indicates if a slide-in camper can
be carried, how much of a load the
vehicle can carry, and how to correctly
spread out the load. It will help to
match the right slide-in camper to the
vehicle.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Driving and Operating 227
Your dealer can help make a good
vehicle-camper match and help
determine the Cargo Weight
Rating (CWR).
When installing and loading a slide-in
camper, check the manufacturer's
instructions.
When carrying a slide-in camper, the
total cargo load of the vehicle is the
weight of the camper plus:
.Everything added to the camper after
it left the factory.
.Everything in the camper.
.All the people inside.
The CWR is the maximum weight of the
load the vehicle can carry. It does not
include the weight of the people inside.
But, use about 68 kg (150 lb) for
each seat. The total cargo load must not be more
than the vehicle's CWR.
Refer to the Truck-Camper Loading
Information label in the glove box for
dimensions A and B as shown in the
following illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load floor for
measurement purposes. The
recommended location for the cargo
center of gravity is in zone C for the
CWR. It is the point where the mass of
a body is concentrated and,
if suspended at that point, would
balance the front and rear.Here is an example of proper truck and
camper match:
1.Camper Center of Gravity
2.Recommended Center of Gravity
Location Zone
When the truck is used to carry a
slide-in camper, the total cargo load of
the truck consists of the manufacturer's
camper weight figure, the weight of
installed additional camper equipment
not included in the manufacturer's
camper weight figure, the weight of
camper cargo, and the weight of
passengers in the camper. The total

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
228 Driving and Operating
cargo load should not exceed the truck's
cargo weight rating, and the camper's
center of gravity (1) should fall within
the truck's recommended center of
gravity zone (2) when installed.
Any accessories or other equipment
that are added to the vehicle must be
weighed. Then, subtract this extra
weight from the CWR. This extra weight
may shorten the center of gravity zone
of the vehicle.
If the slide-in camper and its load
weighs less than the CWR, the center of
gravity zone for the vehicle may be
larger.
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of
the vehicle. When the truck-camper is
loaded, drive to a scale and weigh on
the front and on the rear wheels
separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not exceed
either of the gross axle weight ratings
(GAWR). The total axle loads should not
exceed the vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). These ratings aregiven on the Certification/Tire label
attached to the B-pillar. See
“Certification/Tire Label”
underVehicle
Load Limits 0222. If weight ratings are
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 at 88 km/h
(55 mph) or less for the first 805 km
(500 mi).
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not drive at any one constant
speed, fast or slow, for the first
805 km (500 mi). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
322 km (200 mi) or so. During this
time the new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See Trailer Towing 0292 for the
trailer towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Driving and Operating 229
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be
ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be
applied.0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF) :
This
position turns off the vehicle. It also locks
the ignition, the transmission, and the
steering column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0246.
4. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to
LOCK/OFF. 5. Remove the key.
6. Release the brake pedal.
See your dealer if the key can be removed
in any other position.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 235.
A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
If equipped with a locking steering column,
the steering can bind with the front wheels
turned off center, which may prevent key
rotation out of LOCK/OFF. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right to left
while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this does not work, then the vehicle needs
service.
{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, turn off the
vehicle only in an emergency.