Driving and Operating -> Drive Systems for Your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Light Truck 2023

230  
Driving and Operating  
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission  
will shift to a preset lower gear range. For  
this preset range, the highest gear available  
will be displayed next to the L in the DIC.  
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base  
Level) 0 127 or Driver Information Center  
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0 128. All gears below that  
number are available to use. For example,  
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L,  
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted  
automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap  
the right steering wheel control or shift into  
D (Drive).  
or when hauling heavy loads. See Driver  
Mode Control 0 240 to activate Tow/  
Haul Mode.  
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking  
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is only  
enabled while the Tow/Haul Mode is  
selected and the vehicle is not in the Range  
Selection Mode. See Manual Mode  
(Mechanical Shifter) 0 227 or  
Manual Mode (Electronic Shifter) 0 229.  
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking assists in  
maintaining desired vehicle speeds when  
driving on downhill grades by using the  
engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.  
See Towing Equipment 0 307.  
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear  
range if the engine speed is too high. If the  
vehicle speed is not reduced within the time  
allowed, the lower gear range shift will not  
be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the  
left steering wheel control to the desired  
lower gear range.  
Drive Systems  
Four-Wheel Drive  
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the  
front axle for extra traction.  
For vehicles without Driver Mode Control,  
press the Tow/Haul button on the center  
stack.  
If equipped, the Stop/Start system will  
become unavailable when Tow/Haul Mode is  
active.  
Read the appropriate section for transfer  
case operation before using.  
Cruise control can be used while in ERS.  
Tow/Haul Mode  
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the  
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift  
cycling. This provides increased performance,  
vehicle control, and enhanced transmission  
and engine cooling when driving down steep  
hills or mountain grades, when towing,  
Caution  
If equipped with Active Hydraulic Assist, the  
vehicle will provide a stiffer steering  
response when Tow/Haul mode is engaged  
to provide enhanced steering functionality.  
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in  
4 m and 4 n (if equipped) for an extended  
period of time. These conditions may  
cause premature wear on the vehicles  
powertrain.  
Driving and Operating  
231  
An engagement noise and bump is normal  
when shifting between 4 n and 4 m or  
N (Neutral), with the engine running.  
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4 m or  
4 n may:  
.
Cause a vibration to be felt in the  
steering system.  
Shifting into 4 n will turn Traction Control  
and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control  
(ESC) off. See Traction Control/Electronic  
Stability Control 0 237.  
.
Cause tires to wear faster.  
Warning  
{
If equipped with four-wheel drive, the  
vehicle will be free to roll if the transfer  
case is in N (Neutral), even when the shift  
lever is in P (Park). You or someone else  
could be seriously injured. Be sure the  
Automatic Transfer Case  
Two-Speed Transfer Case  
Uplevel Shown, Base Level Similar  
transfer case is in a drive gear 2 m, 4 m,  
If equipped, the transfer case controls are  
used to shift into and out of four-wheel  
drive.  
or 4 n or set the parking brake before  
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).  
See Shifting Into Park (Mechanical Shifter)  
0 216 or Shifting Into Park (Electronic  
Shifter) 0 217.  
To shift the transfer case, press the desired  
button. The graphic in the instrument  
cluster will flash while a shift is in progress.  
The graphic displayed will change to indicate  
the setting requested.  
Caution  
When the shift is complete the graphic will  
stop flashing. The Driver Information Center  
(DIC) message turns off once the shift is  
complete. If the transfer case cannot  
complete a shift request, it will go back to  
its last chosen setting.  
Extended high-speed operation in 4 n  
may damage or shorten the life of the  
drivetrain.  
Work Truck and Custom  
232  
Driving and Operating  
The settings are:  
while climbing or descending steep hills.  
While driving in 4 n, keep vehicle speed  
below 72 km/h (45 mph).  
If equipped, use 4 n, AUTO, or 4 m to provide  
additional traction when parking on a steep  
grade with poor traction such as ice, snow,  
mud, or gravel.  
N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle  
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle  
Towing 0 403 or  
Shifting into 4 n will turn Traction Control  
and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See Traction Control/  
Electronic Stability Control 0 237.  
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle 0 402.  
Shifting Into 4 n  
2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for driving  
on most streets and highways. The front  
axle is not engaged. This setting provides  
the best fuel economy.  
1. The ignition must be on and the vehicle  
must be stopped or moving less than  
5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in  
N (Neutral). It is best for the vehicle to  
be moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).  
Shifts between 2m, 4 m, and AUTO  
Any of these shifts can be made at normal  
driving speed.  
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : Use  
when road surface conditions are variable.  
When driving in AUTO, the front axle is  
engaged, and the vehicle's power is sent to  
the front and rear wheels automatically  
based on driving conditions. This setting  
provides slightly lower fuel economy  
The actual 4x4 shift request is only made  
after the button is released. The 4x4 graphic  
will remain flashing until the shift request  
has completed. A DIC message displays to  
indicate that the 4x4 transfer case has been  
requested to shift to the new desired state.  
2. Press 4 n. The actual 4x4 shift request is  
only made after the button is released.  
The 4x4 graphic will remain flashing  
until the shift request has completed.  
A DIC message displays to indicate that  
the 4x4 transfer case has been requested  
to shift to the new desired state.  
than 2 m.  
Once the 4x4 shift has completed, the DIC  
message disappears, the 4x4 graphic stops  
flashing, and the current setting is indicated.  
Once the 4x4 shift has completed, the  
DIC message disappears, the 4x4 graphic  
stops flashing and the current setting is  
indicated.  
4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this  
setting when extra traction is needed, such  
as when driving on snowy or icy roads,  
when off-roading, or when plowing snow.  
When a shift to 2 m is completed successfully  
while in P (Park), the parking brake will  
engage. To resume driving, shift the  
transmission to the desired gear and  
manually release the parking brake or press  
the accelerator pedal to begin driving. See  
Electric Parking Brake 0 236.  
If vehicle speed is higher when shift request  
occurs, a DIC message displays. Reduce  
vehicle speed.  
4 n (Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting  
engages the front axle and delivers extra  
torque. Choose 4 n when driving off-road in  
deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and  
If the transmission is not in N (Neutral)  
when shift request occurs, a DIC message  
displays. The vehicle will allow 20 seconds  
Driving and Operating  
233  
for the shift to occur. After this time, a  
graphic in the instrument cluster will  
indicate that the transfer case is in 4 n.  
remain flashing until the shift request  
has completed. A DIC message displays  
to indicate the state of the request.  
With the vehicle moving less than 5 km/h  
(3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral),  
attempt the shift again.  
Once the 4x4 shift has completed, the  
DIC message disappears, the 4x4 graphic  
stops flashing, and the current setting is  
indicated.  
Shifting Into N (Neutral)  
Caution  
To shift into N (Neutral):  
Shifting the transmission into gear before  
the requested mode indicator light has  
stopped flashing could damage the  
transfer case.  
1. Start the vehicle.  
2. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).  
If vehicle speed is higher when shift  
request occurs, a DIC message displays.  
Reduce vehicle speed.  
3. Shift the transfer case to 2 m.  
4. Apply the parking brake and/or brake  
pedal.  
If the transmission is not shifted into  
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not slowed to  
5 km/h (3 mph) within 20 seconds, the  
transfer case will remain in its original state.  
This will be indicated in the instrument  
cluster.  
If the transmission is not in N (Neutral)  
when shift request occurs, DIC messages will  
display. The vehicle will allow 20 seconds for  
this shift to occur. After this time, a graphic  
in the instrument cluster will indicate that  
5. Press 2 m five times in 10 seconds until  
the N (Neutral) graphic starts flashing in  
the instrument cluster. When the shift is  
complete, the graphic stops flashing.  
If the parking brake and/or brake pedal  
is not applied within 20 seconds, the  
transfer case will remain in the original  
state.  
the transfer case is in 4 n.  
With the vehicle moving less than  
5 km/h (3 mph) and the transmission in  
N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.  
Caution  
Shifting the transmission into gear before  
the requested mode indicator light has  
stopped flashing could damage the  
transfer case.  
Shifting Out of 4 n  
6. If the transmission is not shifted into  
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not slowed  
to 5 km/h (3 mph) within 20 seconds,  
the transfer case will remain in its  
original state. This will be indicated in  
the instrument cluster.  
1. The vehicle must be stopped or moving  
less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the  
transmission in N (Neutral) and the  
ignition on. It is best for the vehicle to  
be moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).  
If the transmission is not shifted into  
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not slowed to  
5 km/h (3 mph) within 20 seconds, the  
transfer case will remain in its original state.  
This will be indicated in the instrument  
cluster.  
2. Press 4 m, AUTO, or 2 m. The actual 4x4  
shift request is only made after the  
button is released. The 4x4 graphic will  
234  
Driving and Operating  
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)  
Single Speed Transfer Case  
If equipped, the transfer case controls are  
used to shift into and out of four-wheel  
drive.  
To shift out of N (Neutral):  
1. Start the vehicle.  
To shift the transfer case, press the desired  
button. The graphic in the instrument  
cluster will flash while a shift is in progress.  
The graphic displayed will change to indicate  
the setting requested.  
2. Set the parking brake. See Electric  
Parking Brake 0 236.  
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).  
4. Shift the transfer case to 2 m. Transfer  
case shifts out of N (Neutral) can only be  
When the shift is complete the graphic will  
stop flashing. The DIC message turns off  
once the shift is complete. If the transfer  
case cannot complete a shift request, it will  
go back to its last chosen setting.  
made into 2 m. When the shift to 2 m is  
complete, the graphic in the instrument  
cluster will stop flashing. If the transfer  
case cannot complete a shift, the graphic  
will return to the previously selected  
setting.  
Work Truck and Custom  
The settings are:  
2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for driving  
on most streets and highways. The front  
axle is not engaged. This setting provides  
the best fuel economy.  
4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this  
setting when extra traction is needed, such  
as when driving on snowy or icy roads,  
when off-roading, or when plowing snow.  
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)  
Use when road surface conditions are  
variable. When driving in AUTO, the front  
axle is engaged, and the vehicle's power is  
sent to the front and rear wheels  
Uplevel Shown, Base Level Similar  
Driving and Operating  
235  
automatically based on driving conditions.  
This setting provides slightly lower fuel  
Brakes  
economy than 2 m.  
Electric Brake Boost  
Shifts between 2 m, 4 m, and AUTO  
Vehicles equipped with electric brake boost  
have hydraulic brake circuits that are  
Any of these shifts can be made at normal  
driving speed.  
electronically controlled when the brake  
pedal is applied during normal operation.  
The system performs routine tests and turns  
off within a few minutes after the vehicle is  
turned off. Noise may be heard during this  
time. If the brake pedal is pressed during  
the tests or when the electric brake boost  
system is off, a noticeable change in pedal  
force and travel may be felt. This is normal.  
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning  
light stays on. See Antilock Brake System  
(ABS) Warning Light 0 120.  
The actual 4x4 shift request is only made  
after the button is released. The 4x4 graphic  
will remain flashing until the shift request  
has completed. A DIC message displays.  
ABS does not change the time needed to  
get a foot on the brake pedal and does not  
always decrease stopping distance. If you  
get too close to the vehicle ahead, there will  
not be enough time to apply the brakes if  
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always  
leave enough room ahead to stop, even  
with ABS.  
Once the 4x4 shift has completed, the DIC  
message disappears, the 4x4 graphic stops  
flashing, and the current setting is indicated.  
The actual 4x4 shift request is only made  
after the button is released. The 4x4 graphic  
will remain flashing until the shift request  
has completed.  
Antilock Brake System (ABS)  
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps  
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering  
while braking hard.  
Using ABS  
A DIC message displays. Once the 4x4 shift  
has completed, the DIC message disappears,  
the 4x4 graphic stops flashing, and the  
current setting is indicated.  
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake  
pedal down firmly. Hearing or feeling ABS  
operate is normal.  
ABS performs a system check when the  
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor  
or clicking noise may be heard while this  
test is going on, and the brake pedal may  
move slightly. This is normal.  
Braking in Emergencies  
ABS allows steering and braking at the same  
time. In many emergencies, steering can  
help even more than braking.