
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
314 Vehicle Care
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 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 operationmay 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. See
Engine Oil
0305.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
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.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0304 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering fluid unless there is a leak
suspected in the system or an unusual noise 

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
378 Vehicle Care
Visually check constant velocity joint boots
and axle seals for leaks.
2500/3500 Series vehicles, at least every
engine oil change lubricate the upper and
lower control arm ball joints.
2500/3500 Series vehicles equipped with
steering linkage, at least every engine oil
change lubricate the tie rod ball joints, idler
arm pivot shaft bearings, idler arm socket,
and pitman arm socket.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable suspension
points should not be done unless the
temperature is−12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood hinges,
liftgate hinges, and the steel fuel door hinge
unless the components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall, use
plain water to flush any corrosive materials
from the underbody. Take care to
thoroughly clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect. If equipped with
power assist steps, extend them and then
use a high pressure wash to clean all joints
and gaps.
Do not directly power wash the transfer
case and/or front/rear axle output seals.
High pressure water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the transfer
case and/or axles and should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet
metal repair or replacement, make sure the
body repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or replaced to
restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will
provide the corrosion protection while
maintaining the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and scratches
with touch-up materials available from your
dealer to avoid corrosion. Larger areas of
finish damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack
painted vehicle surfaces causing blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small,
irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface. Refer to “Finish Care”previously in
this section.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions, regularly
clean the vehicle's interior. Immediately
remove any soils. Newspapers or dark
garments can transfer color to the vehicle’s
interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove dust from
knobs and crevices on the instrument
cluster. Using a mild soap solution,
immediately remove hand lotions,
sunscreen, and insect repellent from all
interior surfaces or permanent damage may
result. 

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Index 423
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 268
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 329
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . 332, 334
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 111
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . 116
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Overheated ProtectionOperating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . .142
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case . . . . . . . . 236
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
424 Index
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . 257
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236, 320
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Frequency StatementRadio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 267
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265, 266
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 329
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Fuses (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . 332, 334
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . 102
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . 168
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 136
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 325
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . 49
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199, 201
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Index 425
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . .52
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199, 201
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224, 226
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . 322
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
IndicatorVehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 69
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 143
J
Jack Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . 367
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 13
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 9
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Lamps Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . 139
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 136
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 142
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Malfunction Indicator (CheckEngine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . 262
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 84
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Four-Wheel-Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118