traction control CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV 2024 User Guide

Chevrolet Silverado EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16702912) - 2024 - CRC - 1/17/23
186 Driving and Operating
.Underbody Camera System: Provides a
view of the area underneath the vehicle
to avoid obstacles during off-roading
events. SeeSurround Vision System 0247.
Before Driving Your Vehicle Off-Road
Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
Know the local laws that apply to off-road
driving.
Have all necessary maintenance and service
work completed.
Charge the vehicle and check inflation
pressure in all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
Caution
Placing tall or oversized items near or
against the spoiler or the lamp above the
truck bed can result in vehicle damage.
To prevent vehicle damage, properly store
cargo in the truck bed away from the
spoiler and the lamp using the cargo
tie-downs.
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your passengers
can be struck by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly.
.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. The
heaviest things should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle's center of gravity, making it
more likely to roll over. You can be
seriously or fatally injured if the
vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
For more information about loading the
vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits 0193 and
Tires 0344.
Environmental Concerns
Always use established trails, roads, and
areas that are reserved for public off-road
recreational driving. Obey all posted
regulations.
Do not damage shrubs, flowers, trees,
grasses, or disturb wildlife.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of what the
vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. Driving down hills can cause loss
of control. Driving across hills can cause a
rollover. You could be injured or killed.
Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions. If the
terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before driving
further.
When driving on hills:
.Use L (Low) mode and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high speed
can cause a crash. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even (Continued)

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Driving and Operating 187
Warning (Continued)
another vehicle. You could be seriously
injured or killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
.When possible, drive straight up or down
the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the top of
the hill.
.Use headlamps even during the day to
make the vehicle more visible.
.Never go downhill forward or backward
with the vehicle in N (Neutral). The brakes
could overheat and you could lose
control.
.When driving down a hill, keep the
vehicle headed straight down. Use L (Low)
mode to slow the vehicle and help keep
the vehicle under control.
{Warning
Do not coast downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the vehicle turned off. SeeHill and
Mountain Roads 0190 for tips on
maximizing regenerative braking and
minimizing the load on the brake system. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Heavy braking when going down a hill
can cause your brakes to overheat and
fade. This could cause loss of control and
you or others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when descending
a hill and use a low mode to keep vehicle
speed under control.
.Avoid turns that take the vehicle across
the incline of the hill. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on the downhill
wheels, which could cause a downhill
slide or a rollover.
.Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet
grass can cause the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it
can hit an object or a rut and potentially
roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make the steepness
of the incline more severe. If a rock is
driven across with the uphill wheels, or if
the downhill wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can tilt even more.
.If an incline must be driven across, and
the vehicle starts to slide, turn downhill.
This should help straighten out the
vehicle and prevent side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped across an
incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls
over, you could be crushed or killed.
Always get out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
Use L (Low) mode when driving in mud.
Keep the vehicle moving to avoid getting
stuck.
Traction changes when driving on sand. On
loose sand, such as on beaches or sand
dunes, the tires tend to sink into the sand.
This affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard-packed snow and
ice, and it is easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on hard-packed
snow and ice.

Chevrolet Silverado EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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188 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Ice conditions vary
greatly and the vehicle could fall through
the ice; you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Water Fording
Your vehicle is capable of driving across
water of varying depth, provided a ride
height is selected that gives enough ground
clearance. To adjust ride height, seeAir
Suspension 0211.
.Normal height ground clearance —Can
drive through water up to 66 cm
(26 in) deep
.Increased height ground clearance —Up
to 71 cm (28 in) deep
.Extract Mode (if equipped) —Up to
81 cm (32 in) deep
{Warning
Driving in water can cause loss of vehicle
control or vehicle damage. As water
depths increase, reduce the vehicle speed.
.Never drive through water deeper
than the driver’s side front gravel
guard behind the front tire.
.Be aware of submerged obstacles.
.Never open your doors while in water.
{Warning
Driving through flowing water can be
dangerous and have an unpredictable
effect on vehicle control. Even shallow
water can wash away the ground from
under your tires. Traction could be lost,
the vehicle could be swept downstream
or 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 gravel
guards. Deep water can damage vehicle
parts.
Before driving in water:
.Determine the depth of the water.
.Enter the water slowly. Never exceed
5 km/h (3 mph) in water deeper than the
center of the front hubs.
.Always drive in the direction of the
current.
.Avoid oncoming vehicles, as they will
increase the water depth surrounding
your vehicle.

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Driving and Operating 189
.After exiting the water, repeatedly and
gently apply the brakes to dry them off
and restore effectiveness.
If Something Goes Wrong
If during your off-road experience a warning
light or warning message displays on the
instrument cluster, or if the vehicle sustains
damage, stop driving as soon as it is safe to
do so. Correct the condition if possible
before continuing driving. If a warning light
or message appears, or if the condition
cannot be corrected, see your dealer. See
Vehicle Messages0135.
If the vehicle is operating with reduced
acceleration or reduced propulsion, stop
your off-road experience and drive slowly to
an accessible point for further assistance.
The vehicle should be taken to your dealer
for service as soon as possible. See
Propulsion Power Messages 0136 and
Propulsion Power is Limited Light 0115.
{Warning
A vehicle with driveline damage may roll
when shifted into P (Park). Always set
the Electric Parking Brake before
inspecting for driveline damage or when
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
securing the vehicle on a flatbed tow
truck. SeeElectric Parking Brake 0205
and
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle 0378.
After Driving Your Vehicle Off-Road
Be sure to switch out of Off-Road Mode or
Terrain Mode to return to normal driving.
See Driver Mode Control 0209.
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. Clean the lens of the
underbody camera. These accumulations can
be a fire hazard.
The extreme conditions of off-road driving
require more frequent maintenance service.
See "Severe Conditions Requiring More
Frequent Maintenance" and "Additional
Required Services —Severe Service" on
Maintenance Schedule 0389.
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 other vehicle
systems for damage, or have these
inspections done by your dealer.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to
do maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided with the
vehicle, only use it for changing a
flat tire.
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.

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190 Driving and Operating
{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 when
the road is wet and you are driving fast.
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, and keep the windshield
washer fluid reservoir filled.
.Ensure the tires are maintained and have
proper tread depth. See
Tires0344.
.Turn off any cruise control, if equipped.
See Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced)
0 217 or
Super Cruise 0227.
.Turn off One-Pedal Driving mode. See
One-Pedal Driving 0203.
.Turn on the Traction Control System (TCS)
and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0207.
Hill and Mountain Roads
{Warning
Do not charge your vehicle’s battery
above an 80% charge if you are going to
drive down long, steep grades such as
mountain passes. This provides room in
the battery for regenerative braking to
supplement your conventional brakes
during the descent. This is especially
important when towing a trailer, which
puts additional stress on your vehicle’s
braking system.
If the battery becomes full, regenerative
braking will be limited or unavailable. The
brakes will have to do all the work of
slowing down the vehicle and could
become too hot. Hot brakes may not be
able to slow the vehicle enough to
maintain speed and control. To help avoid
the risk of a crash, limit the battery’s
charge and, if you experience brake fade
or receive a brake warning, stop the
vehicle and allow the brakes to cool.
See “Charge Now” underCharging 0123
for information on setting charge limits.

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Driving and Operating 191
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Be sure to:
.Use regenerative braking to help slow the
vehicle or maintain speed by keeping the
vehicle in gear and limiting the initial
battery charge to 80% or less. See
Regenerative Braking0206.
.When braking is necessary, use frequent,
light taps of the brake pedal. This
maximizes regenerative braking and
minimizes the load on the vehicle brake
system.
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels, brakes, tires, and
cooling system.
.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
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
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:
.Turn off cruise control.
.If enabled, turn off One-Pedal Driving. See
One-Pedal Driving 0203.
.If turned off, turn on the Traction Control
System (TCS) and Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0207.
.Select the Snow/Ice driver mode. See
Driver Mode Control 0209.
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.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.
.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) 0204.
.Avoid using the Regen on Demand
paddle. See Regenerative Braking 0206.
Blizzard Conditions
If you become stranded or cannot continue
driving due to winter storm conditions, stop
the vehicle in a safe place and signal for
help. If possible, use Roadside Assistance
Program 0399. Stay with the vehicle unless
there is help nearby.

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192 Driving and Operating
If you stay in your vehicle while waiting,
signal for help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe by turning on the hazard
warning flashers and tying a red cloth to an
outside mirror.
To conserve battery energy while waiting
for help, run the vehicle for only short
periods as needed to warm the vehicle and
then shut the vehicle off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep warm
also helps. For additional tips to help
conserve battery energy in cold weather, see
Driving for Better Energy Efficiency0181.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. See “Rocking the Vehicle to Get
It Out” later in this section.
The Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0207. If TCS/ESC cannot
free the vehicle, see “Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out” following.
{Warning
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire chains on
the vehicle, see Tire Chains0361.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
the TCS off. Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the
wheels as little as possible. To prevent
battery wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out using recovery
hooks if equipped.
Recovery Hooks
If equipped, there are recovery hooks at the
front of the vehicle. Use them if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow to pull
the vehicle back to the road and continue
driving.
{Warning
Never pull on recovery hooks from the
side. The hooks could break and you and
others could be injured. When using
recovery hooks, always pull the vehicle
from the front.
Caution
Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged,
and the repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.

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Driving and Operating 207
{Warning
Do not charge your vehicle’s battery
above an 80% charge if you are going to
drive down long, steep grades such as
mountain passes. This provides room in
the battery for regenerative braking to
supplement your conventional brakes
during the descent. This is especially
important when towing a trailer, which
puts additional stress on your vehicle’s
braking system.
See“Charge Now” underCharging 0123
for information on setting charge limits.
See Hill and Mountain Roads 0190 for
important information about driving on
grades.
The brake system uses regenerative braking,
conventional hydraulic braking, or a
combination of both as appropriate.
Regen on Demand
If equipped, Regen on Demand allows
increased deceleration by pressing and
holding the steering wheel paddle. It works
in D (Drive) and L (Low). The accelerator
pedal can be used to manage deceleration
while using Regen on Demand. See
One-Pedal Driving 0203.
If the vehicle is brought to a complete stop
while the Regen on Demand paddle is held,
the vehicle will not creep forward when the
paddle is released. The accelerator pedal
must be pressed to move the vehicle
forward.
If the vehicle is on a steep grade, the brake
pedal must be used to hold the vehicle. When available regenerative braking power
is limited, the hydraulic brakes may be
applied to make up the difference.
Cruise control will turn off and the brake
lamps may come on when this feature is
activated.
Avoid using Regen on Demand under
slippery road conditions. Use the brake
pedal as the primary braking device.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems help limit wheel spin and
assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses any of the drive
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, TCS applies the
brakes to the spinning wheels and reduces
vehicle power to limit wheel spin.

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208 Driving and Operating
ESC activates when the vehicle senses a
difference between the intended path and
the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
ESC selectively applies braking pressure to
one or more of the vehicle wheel brakes to
assist the driver in keeping the vehicle on
the intended path. Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) is also on automatically when the
vehicle is started. SeeTrailer Sway Control
(TSC) 0309.
If cruise control is being used and traction
control or ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0192 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light:
.Flashes when TCS is limiting wheel spin
.Flashes when ESC is activated
.Turns on and stay on when either system
is not working
See Traction Control System (TCS)/Electronic
Stability Control Light 0118.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. Adjust driving
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the vehicle off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and stays on, see your
dealer as soon as possible.
Turning the Systems Off and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
To turn Traction (TCS) on and off, in the
controls app on the infotainment home
screen, select Controls > DRIVE & PARK >
Traction Control. To turn ESC on or off,
select
Tnext to the Traction Control menu.
The following options appear:
.Traction Control Off
.Traction Control and ESC Off
.Traction Control and ESC On
The traction off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster when the traction control
is turned off. When the traction control is
turned back on, the traction off light
i
displayed in the instrument cluster will turn
off. See Traction Off Light 0118.
If TCS is actively limiting wheel spin when
disabled, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning.

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Driving and Operating 209
To turn ESC off, selectTnext to the
Traction Control menu. Select the Traction
Control and ESC Off option. The ESC off light
gwill display in the instrument cluster. See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light
0 119.
TCS cannot be on when ESC is off.
ESC will automatically turn on if the vehicle
exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph) and cannot be
turned off again until speed is reduced.
Traction control will remain off.
Vehicles equipped with the four corner air
suspension will re-enable ESC at 32 km/h
(20 mph).
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
feature and a Hill Start Assist (HSA) feature.
See Trailer Sway Control (TSC) 0309 or
Hill Start Assist (HSA) 0206.
Entering Teen Driver will automatically
enable both TCS and ESC, and prevent these
safety features from being turned off. See
Teen Driver 0168.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0324.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control allows the driver to
adjust the overall driving experience by
selecting different modes. Driver Mode
Control has the following modes: Tour,
Sport, Snow/Ice, and a customizable mode:
My mode. Driver mode availability and
affected vehicle subsystems are dependent
upon trim level, region, and optional
features.
If the vehicle is in Tour mode, My mode,
or Sport mode it will stay in that mode
through future on/off cycles. If the vehicle is
in Snow/Ice mode, it will return to Tour
mode when the vehicle is restarted. When
each mode is selected, a unique and
persistent indicator is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
Mode Activation
To activate each mode, open the Drive Mode
App on the infotainment home screen.
Activate each mode by selecting the
mode icon.
Mode Descriptions
Normal Mode : Use for normal city and
highway driving to provide a smooth ride.
This setting provides balance between comfort and handling. There is no persistent
indicator in the instrument cluster for
this mode.
Off Road Mode :
Use this mode for off-road
recreational driving. Off Road mode should
be used to improve driving at moderate
speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt, unpaved roads,
or snow-covered roads. The accelerator pedal
is tuned for off road use. If equipped, this
mode also modifies steering, suspension,
active rear steer, e4WD, EVSE, ABS, ESC, and
TCS Performance.
For more information on off-road driving,
see Off-Road Driving 0185.
Tow/Haul Mode : Use this mode when
hauling heavy loads to provide increased
performance and vehicle control. Tow/Haul
mode adjusts the pedal map, steering, active
rear steer, suspension, and TSC performance.
If equipped with a Work Truck, the
Tow/Haul mode may be operated through a
button on the center stack. Press
_to
activate Tow/Haul mode.
If the vehicle is turned off with Tow/Haul
mode active and then restarted within four
hours or less, Tow/Haul mode will remain
active. Otherwise, the vehicle will start in
Normal mode.