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2012 CHEVY / CHEVROLET Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty Owners Manual
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2012 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Instrument Panel .............. 1-2
Initial Drive Information ........ 1-8
Vehicle Features ............. 1-29
Performance and
Maintenance ................ 1-37
Keys, Doors, and
Windows .................... 2-1
Keys and Locks ............... 2-2
Doors ......................... 2-11
Vehicle Security .............. 2-13
Exterior Mirrors ............... 2-16
Interior Mirrors ................ 2-19
Windows ..................... 2-20
Roof .......................... 2-23
Seats and Restraints ......... 3-1
Head Restraints ............... 3-2
Front Seats .................... 3-3
Rear Seats ................... 3-12
Safety Belts .................. 3-14
Airbag System ................ 3-25
Child Restraints .............. 3-45
Storage ....................... 4-1
Storage Compartments ........ 4-1
Instruments and Controls .... 5-1
Controls ....................... 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators ................... 5-12
Information Displays .......... 5-33
Vehicle Messages ............ 5-43
Vehicle Personalization ....... 5-52
Universal Remote System .... 5-61
Lighting ....................... 6-1
Exterior Lighting ............... 6-1
Interior Lighting ................ 6-8
Lighting Features ............. 6-10
Infotainment System ......... 7-1
Introduction .................... 7-1
Radio .......................... 7-9
Audio Players ................ 7-16
Rear Seat Infotainment ....... 7-40
Phone ........................ 7-52
Trademarks and License
Agreements ................. 7-60
Climate Controls ............. 8-1
Climate Control Systems .... . . 8-1
Air Vents ..................... 8-11
Driving and Operating ........ 9-1
Driving Information ............. 9-2
Starting and Operating ....... 9-27
Engine Exhaust .............. 9-37
Automatic Transmission ...... 9-39
Manual Transmission ......... 9-46
Drive Systems ................ 9-47
Brakes ....................... 9-61
Ride Control Systems ........ 9-65
Cruise Control ................ 9-69
Object Detection Systems .... 9-72
Fuel .......................... 9-79
Towing ....................... 9-86
Conversions and
Add-Ons ................... 9-119

2012 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual M
Vehicle Care ................. 10-1
General Information .......... 10-3
Vehicle Checks ............... 10-4
Headlamp Aiming ........... 10-41
Bulb Replacement .......... 10-43
Electrical System ............ 10-48
Wheels and Tires ........... 10-57
Jump Starting ............... 10-96
Towing ..................... 10-101
Appearance Care .......... 10-106
Service and Maintenance ... 11-1
General Information .......... 11-1
Maintenance Schedule ....... 11-3
Special Application
Services .................... 11-9
Additional Maintenance
and Care ................... 11-10
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts ...... 11-13
Maintenance Records ....... 11-17
Technical Data ............... 12-1
Vehicle Identification ......... 12-1
Vehicle Data .................. 12-2
Customer Information ....... 13-1
Customer Information ........ 13-2
Reporting Safety Defects .... 13-20
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy .................... 13-21
OnStar ....................... 14-1
OnStar Overview ............. 14-1
OnStar Services .............. 14-2
OnStar Additional
Information .................. 14-5
Index ..................... i-1

Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET
Emblem, SILVERADO, and Z71
are trademarks and/or service
marks of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
If the vehicle has the Duramax
®
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement for additional and
specific information on this engine.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20902913 B Second Printing
©
2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number
where it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.
{ WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,”“Do not do this,” or “Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M : This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
* : This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0 : Adjustable Pedals
9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
% : Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$ : Brake System Warning Light
" : Charging System
I : Cruise Control
B : Engine Coolant Temperature
O : Exterior Lamps
# : Fog Lamps
. : Fuel Gauge
+ : Fuses
3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j : LATCH System Child
Restraints
* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure
g : Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
O : Power
/ : Remote Vehicle Start
> : Safety Belt Reminders
7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
_ : Tow/Haul Mode
d : Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
M : Windshield Washer Fluid

vi Introduction
2 NOTES

In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel (Base/Uplevel
Version) ..................... 1-2
Instrument Panel (Premium
Version) ..................... 1-6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information ........ 1-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System ...................... 1-8
Remote Vehicle Start ......... 1-9
Door Locks ................... 1-9
Windows ..................... 1-10
Seat Adjustment ............. 1-12
Memory Features ............ 1-14
Heated and Ventilated
Seats ....................... 1-16
Head Restraint
Adjustment ................. 1-16
Safety Belts .................. 1-17
Passenger Sensing
System ..................... 1-17
Mirror Adjustment ............ 1-18
Steering Wheel
Adjustment ................. 1-21
Throttle and Brake Pedal
Adjustment ................. 1-21
Interior Lighting .............. 1-21
Exterior Lighting ............. 1-22
Windshield Wiper/Washer .... 1-23
Climate Controls ............. 1-24
Transmission ................ 1-26
Four-Wheel Drive ............ 1-27
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) ..................... 1-29
Satellite Radio ............... 1-30
Portable Audio Devices ...... 1-31
Bluetooth
®
................... 1-31
Steering Wheel Controls ..... 1-31
Cruise Control ............... 1-32
Navigation System ........... 1-32
Driver Information
Center (DIC) ............... 1-33
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC) ............. 1-34
Ultrasonic Parking Assist .... 1-34
Power Outlets ............... 1-34
Universal Remote System . . . 1-35
Sunroof ...................... 1-35
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak
®
System ......... 1-37
Tire Pressure Monitor ........ 1-38
Engine Oil Life System .... . . 1-38
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) .... . 1-39
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy ................... 1-39
Roadside Assistance
Program .................... 1-40
OnStar
®
..................... 1-40

1-2 In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel (Base/Uplevel Version)

In Brief 1-3
A. Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑6.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑33.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5 (Out of View).
E. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑13.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑39.
Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑44.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®
6‐Speed Button) (If Equipped).
See Manual Mode on
page 9‑43.
G. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake
Controller (If Equipped). See
Trailer Towing on page 9‑90.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
K. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑25.
L. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
M. Parking Brake on page 9‑63.

1-4 In Brief
N. Dome Lamps on page 6‑9.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑7
(If Equipped).
O. Cruise Control on page 9‑69.
P. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
Q. Horn on page 5‑5.
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 (If Equipped).
S. Automatic Transfer Case
Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on
page 10‑33.
T. Ashtray (If Equipped). See
Ashtrays on page 5‑12 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑11.
U. StabiliTrak
®
System on
page 9‑65 (If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑72 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 9‑27.
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See “Brakes” in the Duramax
diesel supplement.
V. Power Outlets on page 5‑10.
W. Climate Control Systems
(with Air Conditioning) on
page 8‑1 or Climate Control
Systems (with Heater Only) on
page 8‑4 (If Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑5
(If Equipped).
X. Power Take Off (PTO) Control
(If Equipped). See Power Take
Off (PTO) in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Y. Passenger Airbag Off Control
(If Equipped). See Airbag
On-Off Switch on page 3‑33.
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Get instant access to the 2012 CHEVY / CHEVROLET Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty Owners Manual. This official manual is compiled in .PDF format and is an essential resource for both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts. It contains detailed information about:
- Introduction
- Driver and Passenger Safety
- Instruments and Controls
- Comfort and Convenience Features
- Operation Tips
- Appearance Care
- Taking Care of the Unexpected
- Technical Information
- Warranty and Customer Relations
- Entertainment Systems
- Climate Controls
- Lights
- Driver Controls
- Locks and Security
- Seating and Safety Restraints
- Driving
- Customer Assistance
- Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)
- Cleaning
- Engine compartment
- Engine oil
- Battery Fuel information
- Air filter(s)
- Part numbers
- Refill capacities
- Lubricant specifications
- Accessories
- Service Information and Specifications
- Maintenance Information and Specifications