automatic transmission CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2009 2.G User Guide

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in N (Neutral) will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission shift lever is in
P (Park). So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear — not in N (Neutral). Always set the
parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-52.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons for the OnStar®system. See your dealer/retailer
for more information about OnStar®and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-71for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature on
or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear Vision Camera
(RVC). SeeRear Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-65
for more information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
O(On/Off) button for
turning the automatic dimming feature on or off will not
be available.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the
headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates each
time the ignition is turned to start.
2-57

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-34.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
and Hydra-Matic
®6-Speed Button (If Equipped).
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-28.
G.Audio System(s) on page 3-85.
H.Instrument Panel Storage on page 2-81.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
J.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
K.Hood Release on page 5-13.
L.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
M.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps
on page 3-20.Fog Lamps on page 3-19
(If Equipped).
N.Cruise Control on page 3-13.
O.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.P.Horn on page 3-8.
Q.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-141
(If Equipped).
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-23.
T.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-62
(If Equipped). Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 2-26. Heated Windshield Washer Fluid Button
(If Equipped).Windshield Washer on page 3-12.
U.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
V.Climate Control System (With Air Conditioning) on
page 3-24orClimate Control System (With
Heater Only) on page 3-26andDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-28.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped).
See Power Take Off (PTO) in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-82.
Y.Glove Box on page 2-81.
3-5

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-34.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F.Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-34(If Equipped).
G.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
H.Audio System(s) on page 3-85.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
K.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps
on page 3-20.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
M.Hood Release on page 5-13.
N.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
O.Cruise Control on page 3-13.P.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.
Q.Horn on page 3-8.
R.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-141.
S.Climate Control System (With Air Conditioning) on
page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Heater
Only) on page 3-26orDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-28(If Equipped).
T.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22. Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-23.
U.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 2-26.Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-62
(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer on
page 3-12.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-82.
W.Glove Box on page 2-81.
3-7

Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot
drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the
cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).When the brakes are applied, cruise control is turned off.
For vehicles with an Allison
®or Hydra-Matic 6-speed
automatic transmission, see “Grade Braking and Cruise
Grade Braking (Allison Transmission) underTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-34for an explanation of how cruise
control interacts with the Range Selection Mode,
tow/haul and grade braking systems.
For vehicles with the StabiliTrak
®system that begins
to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise control,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When road
conditions allow the cruise control to be safely used
again, it can be turned back on.
3-13

2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together
with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
When the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is
on, the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
stay on for 10 minutes before automatically turning off
to prevent the battery from being drained. Turn the
headlamp control to off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when the headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and the ignition is
off and a door is open. To disable the chime, turn the
light off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in P (Park).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps
control to the OFF position and then release.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the P (Park) position, before the DRL lamps
can be turned off.
3-17

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the
normal brightness, along with the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, and the instrument panel lights.
The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release
it. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the P (Park) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Do not cover the
sensor or the headlamps will come on whenever the
ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead streetlights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system is only affected when the
light sensor detects a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that
delay, the instrument panel cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-20.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.
The headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. This feature can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-76.
The regular headlamp system can be turned on
when needed.
3-18

Transmission Temperature
Press the trip/fuel button until TRANS TEMP displays.
This display shows the temperature of the automatic
transmission uid in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or
degrees Celsius (°C).
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate
of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine oil life system will
alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with
your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display.
See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-66. You shouldchange the oil as soon as you can. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15. In addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine)
on page 6-4for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself.
Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display
accidentally at any time other than when the oil has just
been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the
next oil change. To reset the engine oil life system,
seeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-18.
Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in this
display, press the set/reset button to select between
ENGLISH or METRIC units. All of the vehicle information
will then be displayed in the unit of measurement
selected.
3-57

Trip Odometer Reset Stem Menu Items
Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem until ODOMETER
displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle
has been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km).
Engine Hours
To display the ENGINE HOURS, place the ignition in
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY, then press and hold
the trip odometer reset stem for four seconds while
viewing the ODOMETER. This display shows the total
number of hours the engine has run.
Trip Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRIP displays.
This display shows the current distance traveled in
either miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset
for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to zero by pressing and
holding the trip odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer is displayed.The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active
reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to
the number of miles (kilometers) driven since the
ignition was last turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature, press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display the number of miles (mi)
or kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last
turned on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle
begins moving, the trip odometer will accumulate
mileage. For example, if the vehicle was driven
5 miles (8 km) before it is started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature is activated, the display
will show 5 miles (8 km). As the vehicle begins moving,
the display will then increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km),
5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
Transmission Temperature
Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRANS TEMP
displays. This display shows the temperature of the
automatic transmission uid in either degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
3-60

The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration
may be heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the system
activates, the StabiliTrak light will ash and cruise
control will automatically disengage. Cruise control may
be reengaged when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 3-13.
StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. If the problem does
not clear itself after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops
or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
4-9

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
Vehicles 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.The tow/haul mode may be used if the transmission
shifts too often. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-51.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-34.
4-78