engine oil CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2018 User Guide

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349200) - 2018 - CRC - 2/27/18
Driving and Operating 293
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0147. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see
“Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0292.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0292.
If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer. If your vehicle is able to use E85 or
FlexFuel, GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner - FlexFuel is the
only recommended additive for use.
Do not use any other additives with
an E85 or FlexFuel vehicle. See
E85 or FlexFuel
0293.
E85 or FlexFuel
Vehicles with a yellow sticker on the
fuel door can use either unleaded
gasoline or fuel containing up to
85% ethanol (E85). All other
vehicles should use only the
unleaded gasoline as described in
Fuel 0292.
The use of E85 or FlexFuel is
encouraged when the vehicle is
designed to use it. E85 or FlexFuel
is made from renewable sources.
To help locate fuel stations that
carry E85 or FlexFuel, the U.S.
Department of Energy has an
alternative fuels website. See
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/
stations.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 299
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out.
Check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbefore starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might 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.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0262.
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
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see
Engine Overheating 0356.
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. Release the brake pedal.
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, move the shift lever
into R (Reverse) if parking on a
downhill slope, use 1 (First) gear if
parking on an uphill slope.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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300 Driving and Operating
4. Stop and have someone pickup and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0443.
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.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 356.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0247.
{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
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
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.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0239 for
more information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” later in this
section.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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334 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 335
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 336
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 346
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 347
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 350
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 350
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 351
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 356 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Power Steering Fluid (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Battery - North America . . . . . . 362
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 366
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 367
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 368
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 369
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 369
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices andWiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Electrical System Overload . . . 375
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 376
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 339
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0421.
2. Battery - North America 0362.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0352.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0351.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0347
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 350. 6. Remote Negative (–) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0421.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 352.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343.
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343. 10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0361.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 359.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349200) - 2018 - CRC - 2/27/18
Vehicle Care 341
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0421.
2. Battery - North America 0362.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0352.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0351.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0347
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 350. 6. Remote Negative (–) Location
(Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0421.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 352.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343.
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343. 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 359.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0361.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349200) - 2018 - CRC - 2/27/18
Vehicle Care 343
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0421.
2. Battery - North America 0362.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0352.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0351.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0347
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 350.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0343.
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 352. 9. Remote Negative (–) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0421.
10. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) 0359 or
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) 0359.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 359.
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0361.
13. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See Hydraulic
Clutch 0351.
14. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped). SeeBattery - North America
0 362.
15. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax diesel supplement. For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.
Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil”
in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
. Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0346.

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344 Vehicle Care
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0338 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
V6 Engine
V8 Engines
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0457.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349200) - 2018 - CRC - 2/27/18
Vehicle Care 345
Caution (Continued)
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., 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. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 338 for 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.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0451.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty. Viscosity Grade
For the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines,
use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil
For the 4.3L V6 and 6.0L
V8 engines, use SAE 5W-30
viscosity grade engine oil. Cold
Temperature Operation: In an area
of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
−29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used in the 4.3L or 6.0L engine. An
oil of this viscosity grade will provide
easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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346 Vehicle Care
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system
has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on to
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system mustbe reset. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed
when the OIL LIFE REMAINING
percentage is near 0%. Your dealer
has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check
the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system: