engine CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2011 2.G Owners Manual

Black plate (93,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-93
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, seeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑24.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear and not in N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when on fairly
level ground, use the steps that
follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If the transfer case on a
four-wheel-drive vehicle is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).

Black plate (94,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-94 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information. Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
See
New Vehicle Break-In
on
page 9‑32for more information.
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.

Black plate (116,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-116 Driving and Operating
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
Tow/Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode
on page 9‑49for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing
on page 9‑94.
Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for electric trailer brakes.
This symbol is located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel on
vehicles with an Integrated Trailer
Brake Control system. The power
output to the trailer brakes is based
on the amount of brake pressure
being applied by the vehicle’s brake
system. This available power output
to the trailer brakes can be adjusted
to a wide range of trailering
situations.
The ITBC system is integrated
with the vehicle’s brake, antilock
brake, and StabiliTrak (if equipped)
systems. In trailering conditions that
cause the vehicle’s antilock brake or

Black plate (123,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-123
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
2500 and 3500 series vehicles with
StabiliTrak have a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature. If the vehicle
is towing a trailer and the system
detects that the trailer is swaying,
the vehicle's brakes are applied
without the driver pressing the brake
pedal. If the vehicle is equipped with
the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, StabiliTrak may also
apply the trailer brakes. The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light will flash on
the instrument panel cluster to notify
the driver to reduce speed. If the
trailer continues to sway, StabiliTrak
will reduce engine torque to help
slow the vehicle.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications
on page 10‑3for
more information.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
on page 3‑48and Adding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑48.
Adding a Snow Plow or
Similar Equipment
Before installing a snow plow on the
vehicle, here are some things you
need to know:
Notice: If your vehicle does
not have the snow plow prep
package, adding a plow can
damage your vehicle, and the
repairs would not be covered by
warranty. Unless your vehicle was
built to carry a snow plow, do not
add one to your vehicle. If your
vehicle has the snow plow prep
package, called RPO VYU, then
the payload your vehicle can
carry will be reduced when a
snow plow is installed. Your
vehicle can be damaged if either
the front or rear axle ratings or
the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
are exceeded.
Some vehicles are built with a
special snow plow prep package,
called RPO VYU. If your vehicle has
this option, you can add a plow to it,
provided certain weights, such as

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) . . . 10-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 Manual Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-18
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-24
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-27
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Noise Control System . . . . . . 10-36
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-37
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-40
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Headlamps (Silverado) . . . . . 10-43
Pick-Up Box Identification
and Fender Marker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-46
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-46

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
Electrical System
Electrical SystemOverload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-56
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65 Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Dual Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-80
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . 10-95
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-101
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-101
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-106
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-111
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-114

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-3
General Information
For service and parts needs,
visit your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained
in remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories
to the vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems
like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-6 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
5.3 L V8 Engine Shown (4.3 L V6 Engine, 4.8 L V6 Engine, 6.0 L V8 Engine, and 6.2 L V8 Engine Similar)

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filteron
page 10‑18.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑19.
C. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10‑96.
D. Battery on page 10‑32.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10‑96.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on page 10‑11or Automatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑14.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑2. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2.
I. Engine Cooling Fan. See Cooling System on page 10‑19.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid
on
page 10‑27.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
on
page 10‑30.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑48.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
on
page 10‑28.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax
®Diesel Supplement.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement.
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle
must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for the location
of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If this is not
done, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth,
then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-8 Vehicle Care
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick,
add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section
explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specifications
on page 12‑2.
Notice: Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range, the
engine could be damaged. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for 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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
.GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM6094M.
.SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the
vehicle. These numbers on
an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
.American Petroleum Institute
(API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst
symbol on the container. This
symbol indicates that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Notice: Use only engine oil
identified as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute
Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.