traction control CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1999 1.G Owners Manual

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2-42
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
Windows
Manual Windows
Turn the hand crank on each door to raise or lower
manual windows.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
If you have the optional
power windows, the
controls are on each of
the side doors.
The driver's door has a switch for the passenger window
as well. Your power windows will work when the
ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY or RUN or
when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is present.
See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Press the rear of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to lower the window.
Press the front of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to raise the window.

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2-48 Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control
will disengage.CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your 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 needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.

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4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this is
normal. On vehicles with four
-wheel drive, your anti-lock
brakes work at all times
-- whether you are in two-wheel
drive or four
-wheel drive.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.

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4-13
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking
(including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You
may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle
is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
-- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a
ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.

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4-20 Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds
of terrain. You need to be familiar with the terrain and its
many different features. Here are some things to consider.
Surface Conditions. Off
-roading can take you over
hard
-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow or
ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering, acceleration
and braking of your vehicle in different ways. Depending
upon the kind of surface you are on, you may experience
slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration,
poor traction and longer braking distances.
Surface Obstacles. Unseen or hidden obstacles can be
hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle you if
you're not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are
hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of
the terrain itself. Here are some things to consider:

Is the path ahead clear?

Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?

Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
(There's more discussion of these subjects later.)

Will you have to stop suddenly or change
direction quickly?When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a
firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs or other
surface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands if
you're not prepared.
When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles,
your wheels can leave the ground. If this happens, even
with one or two wheels, you can't control the vehicle as
well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it's
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns or sudden braking.
In a way, off
-road driving requires a different kind of
alertness from driving on paved roads and highways.
There are no road signs, posted speed limits or signal
lights. You have to use your own good judgment about
what is safe and what isn't.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any
road. And this is certainly true for off
-road driving.
At the very time you need special alertness and driving
skills, your reflexes, perceptions and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could
have a serious
-- or even fatal -- accident if you drink
and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
See ªDrunken Drivingº in the Index.

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4-21 Driving on Off-Road Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up, down or across a
hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and
an understanding of what your vehicle can and can't do.
There are some hills that simply can't be driven, no
matter how well built the vehicle.
CAUTION:
Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle.
If you drive up them, you will stall. If you drive
down them, you can't control your speed. If you
drive across them, you will roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt
about the steepness, don't drive the hill.
Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it's one
of those hills that's just too steep to climb, descend or
cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very small
hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant
incline with only a small change in elevation where you
can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near
the top, but you may not see this because the crest of the
hill is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you approach
a hill.

Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply
steeper in places?

Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the
surface cause tire slipping?

Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you
won't have to make turning maneuvers?

Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your
path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)?

What's beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an
embankment, a drop
-off, a fence? Get out and
walk the hill if you don't know. It's the smart way to
find out.

Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have
ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because they
are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.

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4-29
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.
On these surfaces, it's very easy to lose control. On wet
ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you will
have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get moving,
poor steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide
out of control.
CAUTION:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be
dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under
the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your
vehicle could fall through the ice and you and
your passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle
on safe surfaces only.
Driving in Water
Light rain causes no special off-road driving problems.
But heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood
waters demand extreme caution.Find out how deep the water is before you drive through
it. If it's deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles or
exhaust pipe, don't try it
-- you probably won't get
through. Also, water that deep can damage your axle
and other vehicle parts.
If the water isn't too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your
tailpipe is under water, you'll never be able to start your
engine. When you go through water, remember that when
your brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it's
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Don't drive
through rushing water.
See ªDriving Through Waterº in the Index for more
information on driving through water.

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6-49 Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certification/Tire label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.

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6-50 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow tires,
space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

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9-10
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle 1-34 . . . . . . . . . . .
Sheet Metal Damage 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Lever 2-20, 2-24, 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Light 2-27, 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Speeds 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Into Park (P) 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting, Manual Transmission 2-24, 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Out of Park (P) 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signaling Turns 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skidding 4-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow Plow Prep Package 1-35, 2-54, 4-46, 4-49, 6-72 . . . . .
Sound Equipment, Adding 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications and Capacities 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications, Engine 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains, Cleaning 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starter Switch Check 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your Engine 2-16, 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steam 5-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Emergencies 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel, Tilt 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step-Bumper Pad 4-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage Areas 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage, Overhead 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage, Vehicle 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow 5-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sun Visors 2-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunglasses Storage 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Surge Tank, Coolant 5
-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switch, Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Symbols, Vehicle v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tailgate 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tailgate Removal 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taillamp Bulb Replacement 6-42, 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature Control, Climate Control System 3-2, 3-3 . . . . .
Theft 2-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Feature 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THEFTLOCK
3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Door 2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt Steering Wheel 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Chains 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Loading 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation Check 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .