Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 365
(4) Construction Code:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load index and
speed rating of the tire. The load index
represents the load carrying capacity a
tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is
certified to carry a load.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
(1) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letters LT as the first
two characters in the tire size mean a light truck tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit number
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in item
3 of the light truck (LT-Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the
tire's sidewall is 75 percent as high as it
is wide.
(4) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Load Range
:Load Range. (7) Service Description
:The service
description indicates the load index and
speed rating of a tire. If two numbers
are given as in the example, 120/116,
then this represents the load index for
single versus dual wheel usage (single/
dual). The speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside
the tire pressing outward on each
square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi
(pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The combined
weight of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 381
{Warning
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the vehicle to P (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel drive with an N (Neutral) transfer case
position, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear —not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2), use the
following example as a guide to assist in the
placement of the wheel blocks (1),
if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to
use the jack and change a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Jack
2. Jack Knob
3. Tool Kit
4. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
5. Wheel Blocks
6. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel Blocks
The equipment is under the second row
seats, if equipped, or behind the front row
seats on regular cab models. 1. Turn the knob on the jack counterclockwise to lower the jack head
to release the jack from its holder.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
392 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning 0321
and the back cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Trying
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling
it will not work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Good Battery Positive Terminal
2. Good Battery Negative Terminal
3. Discharged Battery Remote Negative Terminal
4. Discharged Battery Remote Positive Terminal
The jump start positive post (1) and negative
post (2) are on the battery of the vehicle
providing the jump start. The jump start positive post (4) and the
negative grounding point (3) for the
discharged battery are on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
The positive jump start connection for the
discharged battery is under a cover. Slide
the cover to expose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. If you have a vehicle with a diesel engine with two batteries, you should
know before you begin that, especially in
cold weather, you may not be able to
get enough power from a single battery
in another vehicle to start your diesel
engine. If your vehicle has more than
one battery, using the battery that is
closer to the starter will reduce electrical
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 393
resistance. This is located on the
passenger side, in the rear of the engine
compartment.
3. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause an unwanted
ground connection. You would not be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles
rolling, set the parking brake firmly on
both vehicles involved in the jump start
procedure. Put the automatic
transmission in P (Park) before setting
the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, not in
N (Neutral).
Caution
If any accessories are left on or plugged
in during the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn off or
unplug all accessories on either vehicle
when jump starting. 4. Turn the ignition off on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged
into the accessory power outlets. Turn
off the radio and all the lamps that are
not needed. This will avoid sparks and
help save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
5. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on that vehicle.
The positive (+) terminal is under a red
plastic cover at the positive battery post.
To uncover the positive (+) terminal,
open the red plastic cover.
For more information on the location of
the remote positive (+) and remote
negative (−) terminals, see Engine
Compartment Overview 0324.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even when
the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you need
more light.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, flush the place with water and
get medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine parts can
injure you badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts once the engine is
running.
6. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) or to a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
394 Vehicle Care
vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to
a remote negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative
(−) or you will get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other
parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−)
terminal on the dead battery because
this can cause sparks.
7. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the remote positive (+) terminal
of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
8. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
9. Connect one end of the black negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote negative
(−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything
until the next step. 10. Connect the other end of the negative
(−) cable to the remote negative (−)
terminal to the discharged battery.
11. Start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a
few tries, it probably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it to idle
for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled vehicle may
cause damage. The damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
lash or hook to suspension components.
Use the proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle. Do not drag a locked
wheel/tire. Use tire skates or dollies
under any locked wheel/tire while
loading the vehicle. Do not use a sling
type lift to tow the vehicle. This could
damage the vehicle.
Caution
Improper use of the tow eye can damage
the vehicle. If equipped, use the tow eye
to load a disabled vehicle onto a flatbed
tow truck from a flat road surface, or to
move the vehicle a short distance. Use
caution and low speeds. The transmission
must be in (N) Neutral when moving the
vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
396 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing (Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles and Vehicles with a
Single-Speed Transfer Case)
Caution
If a vehicle with two-wheel drive or a
single-speed transfer case is towed with
all four wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles and vehicles with a
single-speed transfer case should not be
towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a
Two-Speed Transfer Case)
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles
with a two-speed transfer case that have an
N (Neutral) and a 4
n(Four-Wheel Drive
Low) setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral) can allow
the vehicle to move even if the
transmission is in P (Park). You or others
could be injured. Set the parking brake
and use wheel blocks before shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral). To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a
level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under
Four-Wheel Drive 0241.
5. With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the
transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting
the transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be no
movement while shifting the
transmission.
6. Shift the transmission to D (Drive).
7. If equipped with an ignition key, turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If equipped with Keyless Access, turn the
engine off. Disregard the Shift to P (Park)
DIC message. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0230 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 397
{Warning
To avoid death, serious injury,
or property damage, before dinghy
towing the vehicle, always disconnect and
secure the negative battery cable and
cover the negative battery post and cable
with a non-conductive material. If the
battery is left connected or the battery
cable contacts the post, the Electric
Parking Brake may activate during
towing, which could cause a crash.
8. Disconnect the negative (–) battery cable. See “Negative Battery Cable
Disconnection” inBattery - North
America 0342.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked, vehicle
damage may occur.
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. If the vehicle has an ignition key, keep it in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY
to prevent the steering column from
locking. If the vehicle is equipped with Keyless Access, keep the RKE transmitter
outside of the vehicle and manually lock
the doors. Access the vehicle by using
the key in the door lock. See
Door Locks
0 21.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting from the tow vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface. Secure the vehicle with wheel blocks.
2. Re-connect the negative (–) battery. See Battery - North America 0342.
3. Turn on the ignition with the engine off. For vehicles with a key, turn the ignition
to ON/RUN with the engine off. If the
vehicle is equipped with Keyless Access,
with your foot off the brake pedal, press
and hold ENGINE START/STOP for
five seconds until the green light comes
on in the button. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0230 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0246.
5. Disconnect from the tow vehicle.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 7. Shift the transfer case to 2
m(Two-Wheel
Drive High). When the shift to 2
m
(Two-Wheel Drive High) is complete, the
light in the instrument cluster will stop
flashing and stay lit. See
Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0118.
8. Start the engine. Check that the vehicle is in 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) by
starting the engine and shifting the
transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be movement
of the vehicle while shifting.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the ignition.
10. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel blocks.
11. Reset any lost presets. The outside temperature display will
default to 0 °C (32 °F) but will reset with
normal usage.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-14632303) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 401
.Ice scrapers or other hard items.
.Aftermarket appearance caps or covers
while the lamps are illuminated, due to
excessive heat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly can cause
damage to the lamp cover that would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black finish
stripes can increase the gloss level and
create a non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes, between
the hood and windshield, when washing the
vehicle.
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a shutter system
designed to help improve fuel economy.
Keep the shutter system clear of debris,
snow and ice. If the check engine light is
activated, please check to see if the shutter
system is clear of debris, snow or ice.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with
glass cleaner.Clean rubber blades using a lint-free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer
fluid or a mild detergent. Wash the
windshield thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged. Damage can be caused by
extreme dusty conditions, sand, salt, heat,
sun, snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant on
weatherstrips to make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak. Lubricate
weatherstrips once a year. Hot, dry climates
may require more frequent application. Black
marks from rubber material on painted
surfaces can be removed by rubbing with a
clean cloth. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0418.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to clean
the tires.