2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD steering wheel

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Climate Controls 203
Changing the mode cancels the automatic
operation and the system goes into manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following:
z:Air is directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
Y: Air is directed to the a/c outlets.
[:Air is directed to the floor outlets,
with some air directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed if not
already above a medium fan speed. This
mode overrides the previous mode selected
and clears fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When the control is pressed
again, the system returns to the previous
mode setting and fan speed.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
It can also be used to help reduce outside
air and odors that enter the vehicle.
Avoid using recirculation for long periods of
time in cold or damp conditions. Using
recirculation in cold or damp conditions can
result in window fogging.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning on
or off. An indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is enabled. If the
fan is turned off, the air conditioner will not
run. The A/C light will stay on even if the
outside temperatures are below freezing.
Rear Window Defogger
1REAR : If equipped, press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off. An indicator
light on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when
the engine is running. The defogger turns
off if the ignition is turned off or to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
press
fto turn them on or off. See Heated
Mirrors 033.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window can damage
the rear window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not clear the inside rear window with
sharp objects.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats or a heated steering wheel,
these features may come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start 020,
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 049, and
Heated Steering Wheel 096.
Sensors

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
206 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 207
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . 222
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . 224
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . 226
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 229
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 231Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 232
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 257
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 260
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . 262
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Filling the Tank (Pickup Model) . . . . . . . . 265
Filling the Tank (Chassis Cab and Box Delete Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 267
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . 268
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Driving and Operating 207
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Adding a Snow Plow or SimilarEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . 299
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions
are appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Driving and Operating 209
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Hydraulic Power Steering (2500/3500
Series)
(2500/3500 Series–All Regular Cab, Double
Cab/Crew Cab with Base Interior)
The power steering system may require
maintenance. See Power Steering Fluid
0 314.
If power steering assist is lost because the
engine stops or the system malfunctions,
the vehicle can be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer.
(2500/3500 Series –Double Cab/Crew Cab
with Uplevel Interior)
The vehicle has a power steering system
that varies the amount of effort required to
steer the vehicle. Less steering effort is
required at slower speeds. At faster speeds,
the required steering effort increases. The
system helps the steering wheel return to
center at low speeds. Pressing the Tow/Haul
mode button adjusts steering effort for
driving conditions described in Tow/Haul
Mode 0235.
The power steering system may require
maintenance. See Power Steering Fluid
0 314. If power steering assist is lost because the
engine stops or the system malfunctions,
the vehicle can be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer.
{Warning
Do not hold the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal at the same time.
Damage may occur to the power steering
and power brake systems which could
lead to reduced performance, up to and
including loss of steering and brake
assist.
Caution
Do not hold the steering wheel at full
rotation for more than 15 seconds and/or
at an elevated RPM. Damage may occur
to the power steering system and there
may be loss of power steering assist.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
210 Driving and Operating
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues
—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
212 Driving and Operating
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of what the
vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. Driving up hills can cause the
vehicle to stall. Driving down hills can
cause loss of control. Driving across hills
can cause a rollover. You could be injured
or killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions. If the
terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before driving
further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up or down
the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the top of
the hill.
.Use headlamps even during the day to
make the vehicle more visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high speed
can cause a crash. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be seriously
injured or killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
.Never go downhill forward or backward
with either the transmission or transfer
case in N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose control.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two-speed
automatic transfer case, shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral) can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in P (Park). This is because
the N (Neutral) position on the transfer
case overrides the transmission. You or
someone else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake and
shift the transmission to P (Park). Shift
the transfer case to any position but
N (Neutral).
.When driving down a hill, keep the
vehicle headed straight down. Use a low
gear because the engine will work with
the brakes to slow the vehicle and help
keep the vehicle under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down a hill
can cause your brakes to overheat and
fade. This could cause loss of control and
you or others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when descending
a hill and use a low gear to keep vehicle
speed under control.
If a brake fade condition is detected, a DIC
warning message is displayed. Adjust brake
pedal use and shift to a lower transmission
gear to reduce braking.
If the brakes continue to fade to a severe
condition, additional DIC messages are
displayed. The brake system warning light
will illuminate, and the vehicle speed may
be limited. See Brake System Warning Light
0 113.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the parking brake.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Driving and Operating 213
2. Shift into P (Park) and then restart theengine.
.If driving uphill when the vehicle
stalls, shift to R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
.Never try to turn the vehicle around.
If the hill is steep enough to stall the
vehicle, it is steep enough to cause it
to roll over.
.If you cannot make it up the hill,
back straight down the hill.
.Never back down a hill in N (Neutral)
using only the brake. The vehicle can
roll backward quickly and you could
lose control.
.If driving downhill when the vehicle
stalls, shift to a lower gear, release
the parking brake, and drive straight
down the hill.
3. If the vehicle cannot be restarted after stalling, set the parking brake, shift into
P (Park), and turn the vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2. Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it rolled downhill.
.Avoid turns that take the vehicle across
the incline of the hill. A hill that can be
driven straight up or down might be too
steep to drive across. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on the downhill
wheels, which could cause a downhill
slide or a rollover.
.Surface conditions can be a problem.
Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet
grass can cause the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it
can hit something that will trip it —a
rock, a rut, etc. —and roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make the steepness
of the incline more severe. If a rock is
driven across with the uphill wheels, or if
the downhill wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can tilt even more.
.If an incline must be driven across, and
the vehicle starts to slide, turn downhill.
This should help straighten out the
vehicle and prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped across an
incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls
over, you could be crushed or killed.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Always get out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud —the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear. Keep
the vehicle moving to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on sand. On
loose sand, such as on beaches or sand
dunes, the tires tend to sink into the sand.
This affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed snow
and ice and it is easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on hard packed
snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Ice conditions vary
greatly and the vehicle could fall through
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
214 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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. 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
through it slowly. At faster speeds, water
can get into the engine and cause it to stall.
Stalling can occur if the exhaust pipe is under water. Do not turn off the ignition
when driving through water. If the exhaust
pipe is under water, the engine will not
start. When going through water, the brakes
get wet and it may take longer to stop. See
“Driving on Wet Roads”
later in this section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These accumulations can
be a fire hazard. Re-install underbody air
deflector and air dam if removed.
After operation in mud or sand, have the
brake linings cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing and uneven
braking. Check the body structure, driveline,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and check the
fuel lines and cooling system for any
leakage.
More frequent maintenance service is
required. See theMaintenance Schedule
0 384.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{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. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the