lock CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2011 2.G Owners Manual

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-3
?(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on.
An indicator light comes on to
show that recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot
be used with floor, defog or defrost
modes. If recirculation is selected
with one of these modes, the
indicator light flashes three times
and then turns off. While in
recirculation mode the windows
may fog when the weather is cold
and damp. To clear the fog, select
either the defog or defrost mode
and increase the fan speed.
The recirculation mode can be
turned off by pressing the outside
air button, or by turning off the
ignition.#(Air Conditioning): Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on to
show that the air conditioning is on.
The air conditioning can be selected
in any mode as long as the fan
switch is on.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air,
so a small amount of water might
drip under the vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Rear Window Defogger
For vehicles with a rear window
defogger, a warming grid is used to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear): Press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off.
An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear
window defogger is on. The rear window defogger only
works when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. The rear window
defogger stays on for approximately
10 minutes after the button is
pressed, unless the ignition is
turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF. The defogger can
also be turned off by turning off
the engine.
Notice:
Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems (with Heater Only)
With this system the heating and ventilation can be controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
The knob can be positioned
between two modes to select a
combination of those modes. Select from the following:
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
and floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield, side window, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
0(Defrost): This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and the side window
vents, with some air directed
to the floor vents. The system
automatically forces outside
air into the vehicle.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-11
Air Vents
Use the air outlets located in
the center and on the side of
the instrument panel to direct the
airflow. Use the thumbwheels near
the air outlets to open or close off
the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non‐GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-19
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-22
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-32
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 9-37
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Active Fuel Management™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-43
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-51
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Brake Assist (Except With 4.3L V6 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-70
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-76
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-78
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-83
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-84
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-84
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-84
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-85
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-85

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-5
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering
can be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your
lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between parked cars and stops
right in front of you. These problems
can be avoided by braking—if you
can stop in time. But sometimes
you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time
for evasive action —steering around
the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First,
apply the brakes. See Braking
on
page 9‑3. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from
a collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is
only slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-6 Driving and Operating
Ease off the accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that the vehicle straddles the
edge of the pavement. Turn the
steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to
5 inches), about one-eighth turn,
until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the
steering wheel to go straight down
the roadway.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems—brakes,
steering, and acceleration —do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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 overdriving those
conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle's three control
systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not 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.
If the 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, the 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,
slow down and adjust your driving
to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces
because stopping distance is longer
and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You might
not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn
to recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-9
You will find other important
information underVehicle Load
Limits
on page 9‑23and Tireson
page 10‑55.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide
wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also
raises environmental concerns.
We recognize these concerns
and urge every off-roader to follow
these basic rules for protecting the
environment:
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and
obey all posted regulations.
.Avoid any driving practice
that could damage shrubs,
flowers, trees, or grasses or
disturb wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over soft
ground.
.Always carry a litter bag and
make sure all refuse is removed
from any campsite before
leaving.
.Take extreme care with open
fires (where permitted), camp
stoves, and lanterns.
.Never park your vehicle over
dry grass or other combustible
materials that could catch fire
from the heat of the vehicle's
exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip,
especially when going to a remote
area. Know the terrain and plan
your route. Get accurate maps of
trails and terrain. Check to see if
there are any blocked or closed
roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with
at least one other vehicle in case
something happens to one of them.
For vehicles with a winch, be sure
to read the winch instructions. In a
remote area, a winch can be handy
if you get stuck but you will want to
know how to use it properly.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-12 Driving and Operating
Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, decide
if it is 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 might not see this because the
crest of the hill is hidden by bushes,
grass, or shrubs.
Consider this 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 will
not have to make turning
maneuvers?
.Are there obstructions on the hill
that can block your path, such
as boulders, trees, logs, or ruts?
.What is beyond the hill? Is
there a cliff, an embankment, a
drop-off, a fence? Get out and
walk the hill if you do not know.
It is 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.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide it is safe to drive
up the hill:
.Use a low gear and get a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
.Get a smooth start up the
hill and try to maintain speed.
Not using more power than
needed can avoid spinning
the wheels or sliding.
{WARNING
Turning or driving across steep
hills can be dangerous. You could
lose traction, slide sideways, and
possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When
driving up hills, always try to go
straight up.
.Try to drive straight up the hill if
at all possible. If the path twists
and turns, you might want to find
another route.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-13
.Ease up on the speed as you
approach the top of the hill.
.Attach a flag to the vehicle to
be more visible to approaching
traffic on trails or hills.
.Sound the horn as you approach
the top of the hill to let opposing
traffic know you are there.
.Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible to oncoming traffic.
{WARNING
Driving to the top (crest) of a
hill at full speed can cause an
accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff,
or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.If the vehicle stalls, or is about to
stall, and you cannot make it up
the hill:
.Push the brake pedal to stop
the vehicle and keep it from
rolling backwards and apply
the parking brake.
.If the engine is still running, shift
the transmission to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill in
R (Reverse).
.If the engine has stopped
running, you need to restart it.
With the brake pedal pressed
and the parking brake still
applied, shift the transmission to
P (Park) and restart the engine.
Then, shift to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake,
and slowly back down the
hill as straight as possible
in R (Reverse).
.While backing down the hill, put
your left hand on the steering
wheel at the 12 o'clock position so you can tell if the wheels are
straight and can maneuver as
you back down. It is best to back
down the hill with the wheels
straight rather than in the left or
right direction. Turning the wheel
too far to the left or right will
increase the possibility of a
rollover.
Things not to do if the vehicle stalls,
or is about to stall, when going up
a hill:
.Never attempt to prevent a stall
by shifting into N (Neutral) to
rev-up the engine and regain
forward momentum. This will
not work. The vehicle can roll
backward very quickly and could
go out of control.
.Never try to turn around if about
to stall when going up a hill.
If the hill is steep enough to stall
the vehicle, it is steep enough
to cause it to roll over. If you
cannot make it up the hill,
back straight down the hill.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-20 Driving and Operating
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9‑67improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Assistance Program
on page 13‑7.
To get help and keep everyone in
the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued)