cooling CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
142 Lighting
When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. The
voltmeter gauge or the voltage display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
if equipped, may show the voltage moving
up or down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of
the battery. It does this by balancing the
generator's output and the vehicle's
electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power
demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or
levels, without being noticeable. In rare
cases at the highest levels of corrective
action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might be
displayed and it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as
possible.
Battery Power Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading
lamps, if they are left on for more than
10 minutes after the ignition is turned off.
The cargo lamp shuts off after 20 minutes.
This prevents the battery from
running down.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off, if the parking
lamps or headlamps have been manually
left on. This protects against draining the
battery. To restart the 10-minute timer, turn
the exterior lamp control to the
Oposition
and then back to the
;or2position.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Climate Controls 199
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . 204
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with this system.
1. Fan Control
2. MAX Defrost
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)
5. TEMP (Temperature Control)
6. Recirculation
7. Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped) or Heated Mirrors (If Equipped)9:Turn clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise to turn
the fan off.
TEMP : Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the temperature
inside the vehicle.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Climate Controls 201
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with this system.
1. Driver and Passenger TemperatureControls
2. MAX Defrost
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)
5. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature)
6. Recirculation 7. Power Button
8. Fan Control
9. Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped) or
Heated Mirrors (If Equipped)
10. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
Climate Control Display
1. Driver and Passenger Temperature Settings
2. Fan Control
3. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
4. Sync (Synchronized Temperature)
5. Recirculation
6. Air Delivery Mode Controls
7. Auto (Automatic Operation)
8. A/C (Air Conditioning)
9. On/Off (Power)

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
214 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
the ice; you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you and your
passengers could drown. If it is only
shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing water if it
is deep enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles, or exhaust pipe. Deep water can
damage the axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep, drive
through it slowly. At faster speeds, water
can get into the engine and cause it to stall.
Stalling can occur if the exhaust pipe is under water. Do not turn off the ignition
when driving through water. If the exhaust
pipe is under water, the engine will not
start. When going through water, the brakes
get wet and it may take longer to stop. See
“Driving on Wet Roads”
later in this section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These accumulations can
be a fire hazard. Re-install underbody air
deflector and air dam if removed.
After operation in mud or sand, have the
brake linings cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing and uneven
braking. Check the body structure, driveline,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and check the
fuel lines and cooling system for any
leakage.
More frequent maintenance service is
required. See theMaintenance Schedule
0 384.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Driving and Operating 215
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0336.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0242.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0240.
.Allow greater following distance 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.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
Driving and Operating 235
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)Caution
Driving with the engine at a high rpm
without upshifting while using Manual
Mode, could damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while using
Manual Mode.
Electronic Range Select (ERS), or Manual
Mode, allows for the selection of the range
of gear positions. Use this mode when
driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit
the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift
position indicator within the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display a
number next to the L indicating the highest
available gear.
To enter Electronic Range Select or
Manual Mode: 1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back
on the shift lever to activate L (Low). The
L in the shift pattern will illuminate in
red, and the D will switch to white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to reduce the highest gear available, or the
right control to increase the highest gear
available.
3. To exit, pull back on the shift lever a second time. The D in the shift pattern
will illuminate in red, and the L will
switch to white.
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission
will shift to a preset lower gear range. For
this preset range, the highest gear available
will be displayed next to the L in the DIC.
All gears below that number are available to
use. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown
next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth)
gears are shifted automatically. To shift to 5
(Fifth) gear, tap the right steering wheel
control or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too high. If the
vehicle speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift will not
be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the
left steering wheel control to the desired
lower gear range. Cruise control can be used while in ERS.
Tow/Haul Mode
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift
cycling. This provides increased performance,
vehicle control, and enhanced transmission
and engine cooling when driving down steep
hills or mountain grades, when towing,
or when hauling heavy loads. See
Driver
Mode Control 0244 to activate Tow/
Haul Mode.
For vehicles without Driver Mode Control,
press the Tow/Haul button on the center
stack.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
272 Driving and Operating
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer out of the water:1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of the boat
ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into the drive
mode that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0384. It is especially important to
check the engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically to see that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0312.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle. 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.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your passengers.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, and how frequently the vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
300 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 301
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 302
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 302
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 304
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 308
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 308
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 322
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 325
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 329
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . 332
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . 334
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 339
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 343
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 350
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 352
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 352
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 354
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 367

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
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Vehicle Care 305
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0367.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0367.
3. Battery - North America 0318.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0309.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0305.
6. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0310.
7. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid 0314.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0305.
9. Auxiliary Battery. Battery - North
America 0318.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 317.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0329.
12. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System 0310.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0315.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel 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. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0307.
.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 0304
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.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.
S./Canada/Mexico-14632154) - 2021 - CRC - 11/20/20
310 Vehicle Care
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which could
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/
filter in place when driving.
Cooling System
If the vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
Do not touch heater, radiator, a/c pipes
or hoses, or other engine parts. They can
be very hot and can burn you. Do not
run the engine if there is a leak; all
coolant could leak out. That could cause
an engine fire and can burn you. Fix any
leak before driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for
5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine Overheating 0312.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.