Chevrolet Silverado: Driving Information / Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain begins
to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
- Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and
makes the surface under the tires slick.
- Turn on Traction Control. See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control.
- The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves vehicle stability during hard stops,
but the brakes should be applied sooner than when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS).
- Allow greater following distance and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface of a curve or
an overpass can remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while on ice.
- Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal for help. Stay with the vehicle unless
there is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance
Program. To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
- Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
- Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust
gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot
be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
- Clear snow from the base of the vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
- Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on the vehicle side that is away from
the wind, to bring in fresh air.
- Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.
- Adjust the climate control system to circulate the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See “Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see Engine Exhaust.
To save fuel, run the engine for short periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the window. Moving about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this
as little as possible, to save fuel.
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat
or rolling terrain. Tips include:
Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape...
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow. See “Rocking the Vehicle to Get It Out” later in this section...
Other information:
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check the lubricant.
Fill Plug
Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the fill plug (1) hole, located on the transfer
case, some lubricant will need to be added...
If an overheated engine condition exists and the ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message
displays, an overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps to prevent engine damage. In this mode, a loss in power and engine performance
will be noticed...