trailer CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2006 1.G User Guide

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your
vehicle when the engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if your automatic transmission shift lever
is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. Always set
your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-50.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67.
2-55

Outside Camper-Type Mirrors
If your vehicle is equipped with this style camper-type
mirrors, they can be adjusted so you can have a
clear view of the objects behind you.
Pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer.
If your vehicle is equipped
with this style camper-type
mirrors, they can be
adjusted so you can have
a clear view of the
objects behind you.Adjust the mirror by turning it left or right. Once the
mirror is adjusted to the correct position, tighten the set
screw to hold the mirror in place. These mirrors can
also be manually folded in.
On the lower portion of the mirror is a convex mirror.
A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more
from the driver’s seat.
If your vehicle is equipped with this trailer towing type
mirror, they can be adjusted so you can have a
clear view of the objects behind you. Pull out the mirror
head to extend it for better visibility when towing a
trailer.
These mirrors can also be manually folded in. On the
lower portion of the mirror is a convex mirror. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from
the driver’s seat.
2-65

SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-51for
further information.
If your vehicle has an Allison transmission, and the uid
reaches temperatures of approximately 275°F (135°C)
or greater, the driver information center will display
a TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE warning message and a
chime will sound until the temperature falls below
265°F (130°C). Pull the vehicle off the roadway when
it is safe to do so. Set the parking brake, place the
transmission in PARK (P) and allow the engine to
idle until the transmission temperature falls below
265°F (130°C). If the transmission continues to operate
above 265°F (130°C), contact your nearest dealer or
the GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service.The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Vehicle overloading
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for the proper
transmission maintenance intervals.
3-44

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-10.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-6. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x
any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
3-46

TRANSMISSION HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with overheated
transmission uid or while the transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
If the transmission uid temperature becomes high,
this message will appear on the DIC display.
When the transmission enters the protection mode,
you may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. When the transmission uid temperature
returns to normal, the display will turn off and the
transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.
If the vehicle has the Tow/Haul mode, use this feature
if the transmission is operating at higher temperatures
and/or the following situations exist, which can cause
the transmission to operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Over-loading
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for the transmission your
vehicle is equipped with for the proper transmission
maintenance intervals. Also seeTransmission
Temperature Gage on page 3-43for more information.
TRANS (Transmission) IN WARM UP
(Allison Transmission®Only)
When temperatures are very cold, the transmission will
prevent certain operations such as shifts to certain
ranges and engaging the torque converter clutch
to protect against damage. When active, the DIC will
display the message TRANS IN WARM UP.
3-63

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Assist System (TAS)...........................4-9
Manual Selectable Ride.................................4-11
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-33
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-34
City Driving..................................................4-37
Freeway Driving...........................................4-38Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-39
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-40
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-40
Winter Driving..............................................4-42
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-46
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-46
Recovery Hooks (Except SS Model)................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-48
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-54
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-59
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-61
Towing..........................................................4-61
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-61
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-62
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-67
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-95
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-95
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Manual Selectable Ride
The main function of this system is to provide superior
ride comfort while trailering or fully loaded, as well
as for unloaded driving. This system also helps
to provide:
Improved trailering stability
Improved handling response when trailering or fully
loaded
This button is located
on the center of the
instrument panel near
the radio.
Press it to activate the selectable ride setting as
desired. An indicator light near the button will illuminate
whenever the system is active.It is recommended to use this system as follows:
For optimum ride comfort in an unloaded vehicle
the button should be out. The indicator light will
not be lit. This button position indicates NORMAL
levels of ride control or damping.
For optimum ride comfort when trailering, fully
loaded, driving off-road, or when personal
preferences demand more control, the button
should be pressed in with the indicator light lit.
This switch position indicates FIRM levels of ride
control or damping.
The following guide can also be used to help determine
the best setting.
NORMAL:The indicator light will not be lit when the
system is in this setting. Use for normal city and highway
driving. This setting provides a smooth, soft ride when
the vehicle is unloaded.
FIRM (Unloaded):Press the button to activate this
setting, the indicator light will be lit. Use this setting
when road conditions or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides more “feel” or
response to the road conditions.
4-11

FIRM (Loaded):Press the button to activate this
setting, the indicator light will be lit. Use this setting to
minimize trailer inputs to the vehicle or when the vehicle
is fully loaded. This setting is also appropriate for
off-road driving.
You can select a setting at any time based on road and
trailering conditions to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
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.
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
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will 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 are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
4-12

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pressures (D). For more
information on tires and ination seeTires on page 5-74
andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-81.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axles.
See “Certication/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67for
important information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules and trailering tips.
4-49

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle — such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing, towing your vehicle
will all four wheels on the ground, and dolly towing,
towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing” following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-39.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
4-62