
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 301
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0346.
Viewing Systems
If equipped, the viewing systems on the
vehicle can improve visibility while hitching,
backing, and driving with a trailer. See
Driver Assistance Systems 0272.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park). Turn the wheels
toward the curb if facing downhill or
into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the vehicle.
.Shift into the desired gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the ramp was
previously submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to launch the
boat if you are not sure the vehicle
can maintain traction.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
302 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Do not move the vehicle if someone is
in the path of the trailer. Some parts
of the trailer might be underwater and
not visible to people who are assisting
in launching the boat.
Disconnect the trailer wiring before backing
the trailer into the water to prevent damage
to the electrical circuits. Reconnect the
wiring to the trailer after removing the
trailer from the water. If the trailer has
electric brakes that can function when the
trailer is submerged, it might help to leave
the electrical trailer connector attached to
maintain trailer brake functionality while on
the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water: 1. If equipped, place the vehicle in Four-Wheel Drive High or Automatic
Four-Wheel Drive.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle. 5. Gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer out of the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of the boat
ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into the drive
mode that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0417. It is especially important to
check the engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically to see that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0346.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Vehicle Care 331
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 332
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 333
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 335
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 340
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control Function Check (Mechanical
Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 357
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 362
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . 365
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . 367
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 374
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 377
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 377
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 383
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 385
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 385
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 386
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 399
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . 402
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 403

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
336 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0399.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0399.
3. Battery - North America 0351.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0362.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0343.
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0338.
7. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0338.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0343.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0341.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 350.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0348.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Vehicle Care 337
5.3L V8 Engine (L84) Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine (L87) Similar
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. See Jump
Starting - North America 0399.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0399.
3. Battery - North America 0351.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0362. 5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0338.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0343.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0338. 8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System 0343.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0341.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 350.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
338 Vehicle Care
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See“Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0348.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance and
long life, careful attention must be paid to
engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and
maintain the proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate
time. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0340.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0335 for
the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0426.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has so
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Vehicle Care 339
Caution (Continued)
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range), the engine could be
damaged. Drain the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0335 for
the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the
dipstick all the way back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0421.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that meet the
dexos1 specification. Engine oils that have
been approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked with the
dexos1 approved logo.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade engine oil for
the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines.
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade engine oil for
the 2.7L L4 engine. Cold Temperature
Operation: In an area of extreme cold,
where the temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be used. An
oil of this viscosity grade will provide easier
cold starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos1
specification are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
340 Vehicle Care
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination of
factors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system has
calculated that oil life has been diminished,
a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
on to indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon as
possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might indicate
that an oil change is not necessary for up to
a year. The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and, at this
time, the system must be reset. For vehicles
without the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed when the
REMAINING OIL LIFE percentage is near 0%.
Your dealer has trained service people whowill perform this work and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine oil is
changed so that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the
engine oil life system:
1. Display the oil life percentage on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0126 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 127.
2. Press the thumbwheel on the steering wheel, or the trip odometer reset stem if
the vehicle does not have DIC controls,
for several seconds. When the
confirmation message displays, select
YES. The oil life will change to 100%. The oil life system can also be reset as
follows:
1. Display the oil life percentage on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0126 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 127.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
3. If the display changes to 100%, the system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message and it comes back on when
the vehicle is started and/or the oil
life percentage is near 0%, the engine oil
life system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level. The only reason for
fluid loss is a transmission leak or
overheated transmission. This vehicle is not
equipped with a transmission fluid level
dipstick. There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the transmission fluid