Chevrolet Silverado: Vehicle Checks / Brake Pad Life System
When to Change Brake Pads
This vehicle has a system that estimates the remaining life of the front and
rear brake pads. Brake pad life is displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC),
along with a percentage for each axle. The system must be reset every time the brake
pads are changed.
When the system has determined that the brake pads need to be replaced, a message
will display, which may include mileage remaining.
Brake pads should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
How to Reset the Brake Pad Life System
The system will automatically detect when significantly worn brake pads are replaced.
When the ignition is turned on after new pads and wear sensors are installed, a
message will display. Follow the prompts to reset the system.
The brake pad life system can also be manually reset:
- Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel).
- Press the thumbwheel or the trip odometer reset stem if the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons. Select front or rear pads as appropriate.
- Select YES on the confirmation message, or press the trip odometer reset
stem on a base level DIC. Repeat for pads on the other axle if they were also
replaced.
How to Disable the Brake Pad Life System
The brake pad life system can be turned off. This may be necessary if aftermarket
brake pads without wear sensors are installed. When the system is turned off, the
front and rear brake pad life percentages will not display. However, the built-in
wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
can still determine when the pads should be replaced. See Brakes.
To turn off the brake pad life system:
- Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel).
- Select DISABLE.
To turn the brake pad life system back on, follow the above steps but select
ENABLE in Step 2.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound can come and
go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying the brake
pedal firmly...
The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with GM approved DOT 4 (1500) or
DOT 3 (2500/3500) brake fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap. See Engine Compartment
Overview for the location of the reservoir...
Other information:
Seat belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they
are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should
be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy...
Battery Power Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps, if they are left on for more
than 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off after
20 minutes. This prevents the battery from running down.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off,
if the parking lamps or headlamps have been manually left on...