2007 Chevrolet Silverado Owners Manual

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Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because: (cid:127) my vehicle has no rear seat; (cid:127) my vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child’s condition. (cid:127) 100 Medical Condition. A passenger has a medical condition which, according to his or her physician: (cid:127) causes the passenger airbag to pose a special risk for the passenger; and (cid:127) makes the potential harm from the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash. {CAUTION: If the right front passenger’s airbag is turned off for a person who is not in a risk group identiﬁed by the national government, that person will not have the extra protection of an airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able to inﬂate and help protect the person sitting there. Do not turn off the passenger’s airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group. United States Canada To turn off the right front passenger’s airbag, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the off position. The airbag off light will come on to let you know that the right front passenger’s airbag is off. 101 The light will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. The right front passenger’s airbag will remain off until you turn it back on. {CAUTION: If the airbag readiness light ever comes on when you have turned off the airbag, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. The right front passenger’s airbag could inﬂate even though the switch is off. If your vehicle is a regular cab pickup or an extended cab pickup and this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the national government has identiﬁed as a member of a passenger airbag risk group sit in the right front passenger’s position (for example, do not secure a rear-facing child restraint in your vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 245 for additional information. 102 United States Canada To turn the right front passenger’s airbag on again, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the on position. Passenger Sensing System If your rearview mirror has one of the indicators pictured in the following illustrations, your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible when you turn your ignition key to RUN or START. United States Canada The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible on the rearview mirror during the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 248. If your rearview mirror does not have either of the indicators pictured below, then your vehicle does not have the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver’s airbag is not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inﬂate) or not. 103 CAUTION: (Continued) Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Your vehicle may have a label on your sun visor that says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. CAUTION: (Continued) 104 Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless the passenger airbag status indicator shows off and the airbag is off. Here is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Be sure the airbag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be transported in vehicles with a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, whenever possible. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if: (cid:127) The right front passenger seat is unoccupied. (cid:127) The system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat. (cid:127) The system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint. 105 (cid:127) The system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat. (cid:127) A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time. (cid:127) The right front passenger seat is occupied by a smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints. (cid:127) Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position (Regular and Extended Cab) (With Passenger Sensing System) in the Index. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle if one is available and check with your dealer. The passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inﬂate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is active. 106 For some children who have outgrown child restraints and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and then enable the right front passenger’s airbag. 107 See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 110 for more information about modiﬁcations that can affect how the system operates. {CAUTION: Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system. {CAUTION: If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in the right front passenger’s seat may not have the protection of the frontal airbag. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 245 for more on this, including important safety information. Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. You may want to consider not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. 108 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around your vehicle. You do not want the system to inﬂate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 651. {CAUTION: For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inﬂate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inﬂates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualiﬁed to do so. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance. 109 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height, front end or side sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 634. 110 Q: What if I added a snow plow? Will it keep the airbags from working properly? A: We have designed our airbag systems to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including snow plowing with vehicles that have the optional Snow Plow Prep Package (RPO VYU). But do not change or defeat the snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it may cause an airbag inﬂation. Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle modiﬁed. How can I ﬁnd out whether this will affect my advanced airbag system? A: Changing or moving any parts of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel, the inside review mirror, or airbag wiring can affect the operation of the airbag system. If you have questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 634. Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. See Care of Safety Belts on page 590 for more information. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. If you damage the covering for the Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance. Notice: driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag may not work properly. You may have to replace the airbag module in the steering wheel or both the airbag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break the airbag coverings. 111 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash {CAUTION: A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible. If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts. If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system was not being used at the time of the collision. If an airbag inﬂates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. 112 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ............................................................ 115 Remote Keyless Entry System .................. 116 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ............................................... 117 Doors and Locks ........................................ 120 Door Locks ................................................ 120 Power Door Locks ..................................... 121 Delayed Locking ........................................ 122 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ........ 122 Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab) ....... 125 Lockout Protection ..................................... 125 Rear Doors ............................................... 126 Tailgate ..................................................... 127 Windows ...................................................... 128 Manual Windows ....................................... 128 Power Windows ........................................ 129 Swing-Out Windows .................................. 130 Sliding Rear Window ................................. 130 Sun Visors ................................................ 130 Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................. 130 Content Theft-Deterrent ............................. 130 Passlock® .................................................. 132 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ......... 133 New Vehicle Break-In ................................ 133 Ignition Positions ....................................... 134 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ............. 136 Starting the Engine .................................... 136 Engine Coolant Heater .............................. 138 Automatic Transmission Operation ............. 140 Tow/Haul Mode ......................................... 147 Manual Transmission Operation ................. 149 Four-Wheel Drive ...................................... 153 Parking Brake ........................................... 170 Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) ....................... 171 Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) ....................... 173 Parking Over Things That Burn ................. 174 Engine Exhaust ......................................... 175 Running the Engine While Parked ............. 176 113 Section 2 Features and Controls Universal Home Remote System ................ 191 Universal Home Remote System (With Three Round LED) ....................... 191 Universal Home Remote System (With One Triangular LED) ..................... 192 Universal Home Remote System Operation (With Three Round LED) ....... 193 Universal Home Remote System Operation (With One Triangular LED) ...................... 198 Storage Areas ............................................. 202 Glove Box ................................................. 202 Cupholder(s) .............................................. 202 Front Storage Area .................................... 202 Center Console Storage Area .................... 202 Tonneau Cover ......................................... 203 Sunroof ....................................................... 205 Mirrors ......................................................... 177 Manual Rearview Mirror ............................. 177 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display .............................. 177 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display ........ 181 Outside Manual Mirrors ............................. 183 Outside Trailer-Tow Mirrors ....................... 184 Outside West Coast-Type Mirrors .............. 185 Outside Power Mirrors ............................... 186 Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors ............... 186 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror ............. 187 Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors .............. 188 Outside Convex Mirror ............................... 188 Outside Heated Mirrors ............................. 189 OnStar® System .......................................... 189 114 Keys {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. 115 Your vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition, all door locks, and the spare tire hoist lock if your vehicle has one. If you ever lock your keys in your If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to assist you with obtaining replacements. Notice: vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 640. 116 Remote Keyless Entry System If the vehicle has a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any RKE system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: (cid:127) Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. (cid:127) Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again. (cid:127) Check to determine if battery replacement or resynchronization is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” and “Resynchronization” under Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 117. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. (cid:127) Remote Keyless Entry System Operation You can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m) away using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter supplied with your vehicle. K (Unlock): Press this button once to unlock the driver’s door. The interior lamps will come on. Pressing unlock again within three seconds will cause the remaining doors to unlock. You can choose different feedback options for each press of the unlock button. See “Lock Feedback” and “Unlock Feedback” under DIC Vehicle Customization on page 279 for more information. 117 Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it. Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your RKE transmitter should last about two years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it is probably time to change the battery. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. Q (Lock): Press this button once to lock all of the doors. Pressing lock again within three seconds may cause the horn to chirp for lock conﬁrmation. You can choose different feedback options for each press of the lock button. See “Lock Feedback” and “Unlock Feedback” under DIC Vehicle Customization on page 279 for more information. L (Panic): Press this button to sound the horn and ﬂash the headlamps and taillamps for up to 30 seconds. Panic can be turned off by pressing the button again, by waiting for 30 seconds, or by starting the vehicle. Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. 118 To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter, do the following: 1. Insert a thin object, such as a coin, in the slot between the covers of the transmitter housing near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom by twisting the coin. 2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up. 3. Align the covers and snap them together. 4. Resynchronize the transmitter. See “Resynchronization” following this information. 5. Check the operation of the transmitter. Resynchronization Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security method used by this system. The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal that has been sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording and playing back the signal from the transmitter. To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your vehicle and press and hold the lock and unlock buttons on the transmitter at the same time for 15 seconds. The door locks should cycle to conﬁrm synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your dealer for service. 119 CAUTION: (Continued) (cid:127) Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it. (cid:127) Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening. There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. (cid:127) Passengers, especially children, can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. CAUTION: (Continued) 120 To unlock the door from the outside, use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or the key. Press the recessed side of the switch with the unlock symbol, to unlock all the doors at once. To unlock or lock the door from the inside, slide the manual lever forward or rearward. If your vehicle has this power door lock switch, press the bottom of the switch on either front door to lock all the doors at once. Power Door Locks If your vehicle has this power door lock switch, press the raised side of the switch, with the lock symbol, on either front door to lock all the doors at once. Press the top of the switch to unlock all the doors at once. The power door locks will operate at any time even when the ignition is off. The power door locks will also automatically lock when the vehicle is out of PARK (P), or for manual transmission, when the vehicle reaches 8 mph (24 km/h). Operating the power locks may interact with the theft-deterrent system, if equipped. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 130. 121 Delayed Locking If your vehicle is a crew cab, it may have this feature. When locking the doors with the power lock switch or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter and a door is open, the doors will not lock until ﬁve seconds after the last door is closed. Three chimes will sound to signal that the delayed locking feature is in use. Pressing the power lock switch or the lock button on the RKE transmitter twice will override the delayed locking feature and immediately lock all the doors. You can turn the delayed locking feature off or back on again by doing the following: 1. Press and hold the power door lock switch in the lock position. 2. Press unlock twice on the RKE transmitter. This feature will not operate if the key is in the ignition. You can also program this feature using the DIC. See DIC Vehicle Customization on page 279. Programmable Automatic Door Locks Your vehicle may have an automatic lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your vehicle’s power door locks. You can program this feature through the Driver Information Center (DIC), or by the following method. See DIC Vehicle Customization on page 279. Programmable Locking Feature Following are the two available programming options: Mode 1: All doors lock when the transmission is shifted into gear. This is the mode that is pre-programmed in the factory for your vehicle for automatic transmission vehicles. Mode 2: All doors lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 8 mph (13 km/h). This is the mode that is pre-programmed in the factory for manual transmission vehicles. The following instructions tell you how to change the automatic door lock mode (automatic transmission only). 122 Choose one of the two programming options listed above before entering the program mode. To enter the program mode, do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step. 2. Turn the key to RUN then back to LOCK twice. Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now ready to program the automatic door lock feature. 3. Press the door lock switch once. You will hear either one or two chimes. The number of chimes tells you which lock mode is currently selected. Continue to press the door lock switch until the number of chimes that you hear matches the number of the mode that you want. If you take longer than 30 seconds, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, you can repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the programming mode. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN (the doors will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current automatic settings will not be modiﬁed. See your dealer for more information. Programmable Unlocking Feature The following is the list of available programming options: Mode 1: Driver’s door unlocks when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P), for automatic transmission vehicles only. Mode 2: All doors unlock when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P), for automatic transmission vehicles only. This is the mode that is pre-programmed in the factory for your vehicle. Mode 3: All doors unlock when the key is removed from the ignition. This is the mode that is pre-programmed in the factory for manual transmission vehicles. Mode 4: No automatic door unlock. 123 The following instructions tell you how to change the automatic door unlock mode (automatic transmission only). Choose one of the four programming options listed above before entering the program mode. To enter the program mode, do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step. 2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now ready to program the automatic door unlock feature. 3. Press the door unlock switch once. You will hear one, two, three, or four chimes. The number of chimes tells you which unlock mode is currently selected. Continue to press the door unlock switch until the number of chimes that you hear matches the number of the desired mode. If you take longer than 30 seconds, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, you can repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the programming mode. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The doors will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current automatic settings will not be modiﬁed. See your dealer for more information. 124 Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab) With this feature, you can lock the rear side doors so that they cannot be opened from the inside by passengers. This feature is located on the inside edge of the rear doors. To use one of the locks do the following: 1. Open one of the rear doors. 2. To engage the rear door security lock, move the lever forward. 3. To disengage the lock, move the lever rearward. 4. Close the door. 5. Do the same thing to the other rear door. The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from the inside when this feature is in use. If you want to open the rear door while the security lock is engaged, unlock the door and open the door from the outside. Lockout Protection This feature protects you from locking your key in the vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door is open. If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock. 125 To open a rear access door from the inside, the front door must be opened ﬁrst. Then, use the handle located on the inside of the rear access door to open it. Crew Cabs If your vehicle is a crew cab, you can open your doors from the inside or outside. Your vehicle may also have a feature which prevents children from opening the rear doors. See Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab) on page 125 for more information. Rear Doors Extended Cab Your vehicle may have a rear access door(s) that allows easier access to the rear area of the extended cab. To open a rear access door from the outside, ﬁrst open the front door. Then, use the handle located on the front edge of the rear access door to open it. You must fully close a rear access door before you can close the front door. 126 Tailgate You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while pulling the tailgate toward you. To shut the tailgate, ﬁrmly push it upward until it latches. After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards you to be sure it latches securely. Tailgate Removal The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for different loading situations. Although the tailgate can be removed without assistance, you may want someone to assist you with the removal to avoid possible damage to the vehicle. To remove the tailgate, do the following: 1. Raise the tailgate slightly and release both retaining cable clips. To release the retaining cable clips, lift the cable so it points straight out and push the cable clip forward. 2. With the tailgate at a slight upward angle, pull back on the tailgate at the right edge and then move the tailgate to the right to release the left edge. Reverse the above procedure to reinstall. Make sure the tailgate is secure. 127 Windows {CAUTION: Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather. 128 Manual Windows Turn the hand crank on each door to manually raise or lower the manual windows. Power Windows If your vehicle has power windows, the controls are located on each of the side doors in the front and rear for crew cab models. The driver’s door has a switch for the passenger’s and rear windows as well. Your power windows will work when the ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY or RUN or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 136. Press the switch down to lower the window. Pull up the front of the switch to raise the window. Express Down Windows The driver and front passenger windows also have an express down feature that allows the windows to be lowered without holding the switch. Press down fully on the window switch, then release, to activate the express down mode. The express down mode can be canceled at any time by pulling up on the switch. To open the window partway, press the switch to the ﬁrst depression position, until the window is at the desired position. Window Lockout o (Window Lockout): If your crew cab vehicle has power windows, the driver’s door power window switch has a lockout feature. The lockout switch is located in front of the window switches. This feature prevents all windows from operating, except from the driver’s position. Press the switch to engage or disengage the lockout feature. An indicator light on the switch will come on when the lockout feature is engaged, and will go off when disengaged. 129 Swing-Out Windows Your vehicle may have swing-out windows. To open a rear swing-out window, ﬂip the latch open and swing the glass out. The latch will catch when the window is fully open and it will also hold it in the open position. Sliding Rear Window If your vehicle has this feature, squeeze the latch in the center of the window and slide the glass to open it. When you close the window, be sure the latch is engaged. The sliding rear window does not have rear defogger. 130 Sun Visors Pull the sun visor down to block glare. Swing the sun visor to the side to cover the side window. The passenger’s side sun visor may have a vanity mirror. Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm system. The security light, located on the instrument panel cluster, will ﬂash as you open the door, while the ignition is off, to indicate the system is being activated. This message reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent system. Here is how to do it: 1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. The security light should come on and ﬂash. The door does not need to be open. If the delayed locking feature is active, the alarm will not be activated until all doors are closed and the security light goes off. 3. Close all doors. The security light will stop ﬂashing and go off after approximately 30 seconds. The content theft deterrent alarm is not armed until the security light goes off. If a door is opened without using the RKE transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will ﬂash and the horn will sound for about two minutes, then will turn off to save the battery power. The theft-deterrent system will not activate if you lock the doors with a key, the manual door lock, or the power door lock switch. It activates only if you use the RKE transmitter. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off. Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident: (cid:127) If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent system, the vehicle should be locked with the door key after the doors are closed. (cid:127) Always unlock a door with the remote keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm if the system has been armed. If you set off the alarm by accident, turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter or by placing the key in the ignition and turning it to START. 131 Testing the Alarm The alarm can be tested by following these steps: 1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window and open the driver’s door. 2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the RKE transmitter. 3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for the security light to go out. 4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm. If the alarm does not sound when it should, but the vehicle’s headlamps ﬂash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 598. If the alarm does not sound or the vehicle’s headlamps do not ﬂash, see your dealer for service. Passlock® Your vehicle has the Passlock® theft-deterrent system. Passlock® is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock® enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled. If the engine stalls and the security light ﬂashes, wait until the light stops ﬂashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts. If the engine is running and the security light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock® system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock® at this time. You may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 598. See your dealer for service. In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 640. 132 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: (cid:127) Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). (cid:127) Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle. (cid:127) Avoid making hard stops for the ﬁrst 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings. (cid:127) Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 423 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 133 Ignition Positions With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to four different positions. Notice: Using a tool to force the key from the ignition switch could cause damage or break the key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service. 134 A (LOCK): This position locks your ignition when the key is removed. The steering locks when equipped with a manual transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK. B (ACCESSORY): This position allows you to use things like the radio, power windows and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. {CAUTION: On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key to LOCK will lock the steering column and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ACCESSORY. Do not press the key release button while the vehicle is moving. C (RUN): This is the position for driving. The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the ACCESSORY or RUN position with the engine off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time. D (START): This position starts your engine. Key In the Ignition Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always remember to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you. This will lock your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember to lock the doors. The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an extended period of time. Key Release Button (Manual Transmission) The ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition of manual transmission vehicles unless the key release button is used. To remove the key on manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to ACCESSORY, then press the button and turn the key to LOCK. Do not hold the button in while turning the key to ACCESSORY. Pull the key straight out. 135 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) If the vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP), certain features will continue to operate for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK unless a door is opened. Starting the Engine Your vehicle has a Starter Motor Control. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects the electrical system. This feature may cause the engine to crank even after the ignition key is not in START. Automatic Transmission Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. If you have a diesel engine refer to the diesel supplement for the starting procedure. Notice: Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. Manual Transmission The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ﬂoor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature. 136 Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will disengage the starter motor, cause your battery to be drained much sooner, and add excessive heat that can damage your starter motor. Try not to hold the key in START for longer than 15 seconds and wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor, while you hold the ignition key in START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try. Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts. Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects the electrical system. If the ignition key is turned to the START, and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking until the vehicle starts or until it exceeds the maximum cranking time allowed, approximately 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running. The engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACCESSORY or LOCK. 137 When starting your engine in very cold weather (below 0°F or −18°C), do this: 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START and hold it there up to 15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key. 2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts brieﬂy but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for ﬁve or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty. Engine Coolant Heater In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18 C°) as noted on the cord. 138 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, near the power steering ﬂuid reservoir. If you have a diesel engine, refer to diesel supplement for location. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. 4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be damaged. How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area. {CAUTION: Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a ﬁre. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps. 139 Automatic Transmission Operation If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This display must be powered anytime the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P). See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 598. There are several different positions for your shift lever. Automatic Transmission Allison Transmission® 140 See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section. PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle cannot move easily. If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission®, with the Power Take-Off (PTO), use PARK (P) when starting. The Allison Transmission® has a park pawl that is designed to hold the weight of commercial medium duty trucks. Therefore, the Allison Transmission® uses larger parts than other automatic transmissions. These larger parts may sometimes make a clunking noise when the selector lever is moved from DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) to PARK (P). This is normal and there is no damage occurring during these shifts. When parked on a hill, especially with a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the effort to shift out of Park. See Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) under Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 171 for more information. {CAUTION: {CAUTION: If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L) — not in NEUTRAL. See Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 171. It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 171. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 423. 141 REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission®, the R on the shift display, may blink if the shift inhibitor is active. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging your transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 400. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. {CAUTION: Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is ﬁrmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed. Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting your vehicle. 142 DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If you need more power for passing, and you are: (cid:127) Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. (cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next gear and has more power. Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding” under Loss of Control on page 365 DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often. If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission®, it will shift into ﬁrst range when DRIVE (D) is selected. As vehicle speed increases, the transmission will upshift automatically through each available range up to SIXTH (6). As the vehicle slows, the transmission will downshift automatically. The Allison Transmission® uses a shift stabilization feature that adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed to determine before making an upshift if the engine will be able to maintain vehicle speed by analyzing things such as throttle position, vehicle load, and hill grade. If the shift stabilization feature determines that current vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission does not upshift and instead holds the current gear. In some cases, this may appear to be a delayed shift, however the transmission is operating normally. The Allison Transmission® also uses adaptive shift controls. Adaptive shift controls continually compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed ideal shift conditions. The Allison Transmission® constantly makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance according to the way the vehicle is being used, such as with a heavy load. During this adaptive shift controls process, some shifts may feel different as the transmission determines optimum settings for a particular shift. 143 MANUAL MODE (M): This position, is available on vehicles with the Allison Transmission®. It lets drivers select the range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions. If your vehicle has this feature, see Range Select Mode (Allison Transmission®) later in this section. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears and when going down a steep hill. SECOND (2): This position reduces vehicle speed even more than THIRD (3) without using your brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on. If you manually select SECOND (2) in an automatic transmission, the transmission will start in second gear. You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. 144 For an Allison Transmission®, see Low Traction Mode later in this section. FIRST (1): For an automatic transmission, this position reduces vehicle speed even more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. For an Allison Transmission®, This position reduces vehicle speed, without using your brakes. You can use it for major/sever downgrades and off-road driving where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. When you shift to FIRST (1) it will provide the lowest gear appropriate to your current road speed and will continue to downshift as the vehicle slows, eventually downshifting to FIRST (1) gear. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission®) If your truck has an Allison Transmission® your vehicle has a Range Selection System. To use this feature, do the following: 1. Move the shift lever to the MANUAL MODE (M). When in the MANUAL MODE, the transmission’s current gear range will be the highest attainable range with all the lower gears available. 2. Press the plus/minus buttons to select the desired range of gears for your current driving conditions. The Range Selection Mode allows you to control the engine and vehicle speed while driving down hill by allowing you to select a desired gear. The DIC shows the six available ranges with the highest attainable range shown in brackets. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 263 and DIC Operation and Displays on page 264 for more information. While using the Range Selection mode, cruise control and the Tow/Haul mode can be used. Grade braking is not available while in the Range Selection mode. See Tow/Haul Mode on page 147 for more information. 145 Low Traction Mode (Allison Transmission®) If your vehicle has the DURAMAX® diesel engine and the Allison Transmission®, it has a Low Traction Mode that assists in vehicle acceleration when road conditions are slippery, such as with ice or snow. While at a stop, selecting the second gear range using the Range Selection system, will allow the Allison Transmission® to limit torque to the wheels after it detects wheel slip, preventing the tires from spinning. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. Cold Weather Operation (Allison Transmission®) On cold days, approximately 32°F (0°C) or colder, your automatic transmission is designed to shift differently. The transmission uses a warm-up mode shift schedule until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. While the transmission is in warm-up mode it is normal for transmission upshifts to be delayed or held longer. This feature improves heater performance by giving quicker vehicle warm-ups. When temperatures are below −13°F (−25°C), the transmission will prevent certain operations to protect against damage. When active the DIC will display the message “Trans in Warm-up”. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 267 for more information. 146 Tow/Haul Mode The selector button is located on the end of the shift lever. Turn the Tow/Haul on and off by pressing the button. When the Tow/Haul is on, a light on the instrument panel cluster will come on. See Tow/Haul Mode Light on page 262 for more information. If your vehicle has the Performance Package-Enhanced Towing, activating the manual selectable ride will adjust the shock absorber characteristics to enhance the ride and handling of the vehicle for towing or hauling heavy loads. Also see Tow Haul Mode under Towing a Trailer on page 423 for more information. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it may have a Tow/Haul mode. If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission® see “Tow/Haul Mode (Allison Transmission®) following. Tow/Haul mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle control, and transmission cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads. 147 Tow/Haul Mode (Allison Transmission®) If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission®, it may have a Tow/Haul mode. Tow/Haul mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle control, and transmission cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads. 148 The selector button is located on the end of the shift lever. Turn the Tow/Haul on and off by pressing the button. When the Tow/Haul is on, a light on the instrument panel cluster will come on. See Tow/Haul Mode Light on page 262 for more information. Also see “Tow Haul Mode” under Towing a Trailer on page 423 for more information. Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking (Allison Transmission®) Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill grade. It maintains the vehicle’s speed by automatically using a shift schedule that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes system and increases control of the vehicle. The system constantly monitors the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, engine torque, and brake pedal usage. It detects when the truck is on a downhill grade and the driver’s desire to slow down by pressing the brake. Cruise Grade Braking is available on the 6.6L DURAMAX® diesel engine. Cruise Grade Braking monitors a vehicle’s cruise state, engine torque, acceleration, vehicle speed, and the cruise set speed. Using this information, it detects when the truck is accelerating on a downhill grade and will automatically downshift to slow the vehicle if it exceeds the cruise set speed by a certain amount. See Cruise Control on page 217 for more information. The Tow/Haul mode and Grade Braking shift modes can be activated by pressing the button on the end of the shift control stalk. If your vehicle has the DURAMAX® diesel Engine or the 8.1L VORTEC™ gasoline engine, Grade Braking is only available while the Tow/Haul Mode is selected. While in the Range Selection Mode, Grade Braking is deactivated allowing the driver to select a desired range of gears. See Automatic Transmission Operation on page 140 for more information. Also see Towing a Trailer on page 423 for more information. Manual Transmission Operation Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 6.0L V8 Engine) Here is how to operate your transmission. FIRST (1) is intended only for heavy loads or trailer towing and is not recommended for normal driving. During the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use, start your vehicle moving in FIRST (1). This allows clutch components to break-in properly. 149 If you try to shift down into FIRST (1) at FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. Shift into FIRST (1) only when the vehicle is below 5 mph (8 km/h). Notice: excessive vehicle speeds, clutch or engine damage could occur. Do not shift into FIRST (1) unless you are going less than 5 mph (8km/h). SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into SECOND (2) when you are going less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the shift lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into SECOND (2). Notice: SECOND (2) at excessive vehicle speeds, clutch or engine damage could occur. Do not shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going less than 20 mph (32km/h). THIRD (3): Press the clutch pedal and shift into THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If you try to shift down into 150 FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into the higher forward gears the same way you do for THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL. NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle your engine. REVERSE (R): To back up, ﬁrst press down the clutch pedal. Wait for the vehicle to stop moving and then, shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, when turning off your engine and parking your vehicle. Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 4.3L V6 and 4.8L V8 Engines) Here is how to operate your transmission: FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1). Notice: at excessive vehicle speeds, clutch or engine damage could occur. Do not shift into FIRST (1) unless you are going less than 20 mph (32km/h). If you try to shift down into FIRST (1) SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL. NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle your engine. REVERSE (R): To back up, ﬁrst press down the clutch pedal. Wait for the vehicle to stop moving and then, shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, when turning off your engine and parking your vehicle. 151 Shift Speeds {CAUTION: If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift. Do not allow the engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) to overspeed and enter the tachometer red lines. Engine overspeed occurs when downshifting, or descending a grade, at too high a vehicle speed. When going down steep grades, always select a gear at least one position lower than you would use on climbing a grade. This will allow the vehicle’s engine to provide some braking and help to slow the vehicle as it goes down the grade. Monitor your vehicle speed, acceleration and engine RPM while applying the brakes as you go down the grade to ensure you have complete control over the vehicle. If your engine speed drops below 600 rpm, or if the engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to the next lower gear. When operating on slippery surfaces, downshift at lower than normal vehicle speeds to prevent the tires from slipping. In vehicles that have a bench seat, move the tallest beverage containers to the right cupholder to provide additional clearance for the shift lever. For vehicles that have a center console, the front cup holder pulls out and turns 180° to provide additional clearance between tall beverage containers and the shift lever. 152 Up-Shift Light If your vehicle has a manual transmission, you may have a shift light. This light will show you when to shift to the next higher gear for best fuel economy. When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions allow. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift when the light comes on. While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you quickly change the position of the accelerator. If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and has a manual transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer case is in Four-Wheel Low. Ignore the shift light when you downshift. Four-Wheel Drive If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that follows before using four-wheel drive. See the appropriate text for the transfer case in your vehicle. While driving on clean dry pavement and during tight turns, you may experience a vibration in the steering system. Front Axle Locking Feature The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to lock or unlock is normal. 153 Manual Transfer Case A 4WD indicator light comes on when you shift into four-wheel drive and the front axle engages. See Four-Wheel-Drive Light on page 261. Some delay between shifting and when the indicator light comes on is normal. Recommended Transfer Case Settings Transfer Case Settings 2H YES Driving Conditions 4H 4L Normal Severe Extreme YES YES Vehicle in Tow* YES *See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 418 or Towing Your Vehicle on page 417 for further information. The transfer case shift lever is located on the ﬂoor to the right of the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. 154 An indicator light near the lever shows you the transfer case settings: Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for extended periods of time. 4L (Four-Wheel Low): This setting also engages the front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need 4L. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose 4L if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills. When operating in 4L, the gear ratio provides additional torque when compared to 4H. The transmission gear shift feel will be exaggerated. {CAUTION: Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P), or if you have a manual transmission, even if you are in gear. You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL. See Parking Brake on page 170. N (Neutral): Shift to this setting only when your vehicle needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 418 or Towing Your Vehicle on page 417. 155 2H (Two-Wheel Drive High): This setting is used for driving in most street and highway situations. The front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best fuel economy. 4H (Four-Wheel Drive High): Use this setting when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting also engages the front axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when plowing snow. You can shift from 2H to 4H or 4H to 2H while the vehicle is moving. The front axle will engage faster if you take your foot off of the accelerator for a couple of seconds after you shift. In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle to shift into 4H. (cid:127) 156 When Using the Manual Transfer Case (cid:127) Shifting should be made using quick motions. Shifting slowly may make it more difficult to shift. (cid:127) You may notice that it is harder to shift when the vehicle is cold. After the vehicle warms up the shifting will return to normal. (cid:127) While in 4H or 4L you may experience reduced fuel economy. (cid:127) Avoid driving in four-wheel drive on clean, dry pavement. Doing this may cause the tires to wear faster, and make your transfer case harder to shift, and run noisier. Shifting from 2H (Two-Wheel Drive High) to 4H (Four-Wheel Drive High) (cid:127) Shifts between 2H and 4H can be made at any vehicle speed. It is easiest to shift the transfer case when maintaining a constant speed or during a slight acceleration. If possible, avoid shifting while slowing down, as it will make it harder to shift. (cid:127) Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous (cid:127) motion into either the 4H or 2H position. In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to shift into 4H until your vehicle has warmed up. (cid:127) While in 4H, your vehicle can be driven at any posted legal speed limit. Shifting In or Out of 4L (Four-Wheel Drive Low) Notice: Shifting the transfer case into 4L while moving at speeds faster than 3 mph (5 km/h) may cause premature wear to the transfer case, and may cause the gears to grind. To avoid causing premature wear, and grinding the gears, do not shift the transfer case into 4L while the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h). Shifts into 4L can be made with the vehicle at a stop, or while slowly rolling about 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h). (cid:127) Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL (N), or with a manual transmission, press the clutch pedal, or shift into NEUTRAL. (cid:127) Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous motion into the 4L position. (cid:127) When in 4L do not drive faster than 45 mph. This will reduce wear and extend the life of the transfer case. Shifting In or Out of NEUTRAL 1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle set the parking brake and apply the regular brake. 2. Place the transmission into NEUTRAL (N). Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion into or out of the NEUTRAL position. 157 Automatic Transfer Case Recommended Transfer Case Settings The transfer case buttons are located to the left of the instrument panel cluster. Use these switches to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. 158 Driving Conditions Normal Variable Severe Extreme Vehicle in Tow* Transfer Case Settings 4WD 4 m 4 n N 2 m AUTO YES YES YES YES YES *See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 418 for further information. You can choose among ﬁve driving settings: Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low for extended periods of time. Indicator lights in the switches show the current setting. The indicator lights will come on brieﬂy when you turn on the ignition and the last chosen setting will stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will ﬂash while shifting. Fast ﬂashing means the conditions are not being met to make the desired shift, typically the vehicle is going too fast, the automatic transmission is not in NEUTRAL, or the clutch pedal is not fully pressed. Slow ﬂashing means the shift is in progress. It will stay on when the shift is completed. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting. AUTO 4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is primarily sent to the rear wheels. When the vehicle’s software determines a need for more traction, the system will transfer more power to the front wheels. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel Drive High. 2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High): This setting is used for driving in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best fuel economy.

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2007 Chevrolet Silverado Owners Manual