2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Owners Manual - Drive Systems

Drive Systems

If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the front axle for extra traction.

Read the appropriate section for transfer case operation before using.

Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4 m or 4 n may:

Cause a vibration to be felt in the steering system.

Cause tires to wear faster.

Make the transfer case harder to shift, and cause it to run noisier.

Engagement noise and bump when shifting between 4 n and 4 m or from N (Neutral), with the engine running, is normal.

Shifting into 4 n will turn Traction Control and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC) off. See

Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 273.

Move the lever to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.

An indicator light comes on when four-wheel drive is engaged. See Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0 150.

N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle needs to be towed.

See Recreational Vehicle Towing

0 413 or Towing the Vehicle 0 413.

2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use this setting for driving on most

streets and highways. The front axle is not engaged. This setting provides the best fuel economy.

4 n (Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting also engages the front axle and delivers extra torque. Choose 4 n if driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.

When engaged, keep vehicle speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).

4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this setting when extra traction is

needed. The front axle engages and helps when driving on snowy or icy roads, when off-roading, or when plowing snow.

The vehicle can be shifted between 2 m and 4 m while the vehicle is moving. In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle to shift into 4 m.

Using the Manual Transfer Case

Use quick motions to shift into or out of 4 n or N (Neutral).

Shifting may be harder when the vehicle is cold, but will return to normal once warmed up.

Four-wheel drive reduces fuel economy.

Delayed shifts from 4 m to 2 m may be experienced due to

uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, high vehicle loading, or cold temperatures.

Shifting from 2 m to 4 m

Shifts can be made at any vehicle speed.

Shift in one continuous motion.

Shifting while the vehicle is in motion may require that moderate force be applied to the shift lever before 4 m can be engaged, especially in cold

weather.

In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to shift.

While in 4 m, the vehicle can be driven at any posted legal speed limit.

Shifting In or Out of 4 n

If possible, shift with the vehicle moving 5 km/h (3 mph) or less.

Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).

Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous motion.

Shifting with the vehicle at a stop may be more difficult. It is possible that the shift will not complete and the transfer case will remain in N (Neutral). This is normal. To complete the shift, with the engine running, shift the transmission to D (Drive) and back to N (Neutral), and reattempt the transfer case shift.

Shifting In or Out of N (Neutral)

Have the engine running.

Set the parking brake. Press and hold the brake pedal. See Parking Brake 0 271.

Place the transmission into N (Neutral).

Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous motion into or out of N (Neutral).

Use the transfer case knob, next to the steering wheel, to shift into and out of four-wheel drive for extra traction.

All of the lights will flash on then off momentarily when the ignition is turned on. The light that remains on will indicate the state of the

transfer case.

If the indicator mark on the knob does not match up with the light then that likely means the knob was moved when the ignition was off.

The indicator mark on the knob must line up with the indicator light before a shift can be commanded. To command a shift rotate the transfer case knob to the new desired position. The light will flash meaning that the shift is in progress. When the shift is completed the new position will be illuminated. If the transfer case cannot complete a shift command, it will go back to its last chosen setting.

In extreme cold weather it may be necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to shift from 2m to 4m.

Delayed shifts from 4 m to 2 m may be experienced due to uneven tire

wear, low tire pressure, high vehicle loading, or cold temperatures.

The settings are:

N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle needs to be towed.

See Recreational Vehicle Towing

0 413 or Towing the Vehicle 0 413.

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 n (Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting engages the front axle and delivers extra torque. Choose 4 n if driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills. When engaged, keep vehicle speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).

Shifting into 4 n will turn Traction Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off.

See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 273.

4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use when extra traction is needed. The

front axle engages and helps when driving on snowy or icy roads, when

off-roading, or when plowing snow. The vehicle can be shifted from 2 m to 4 m while the vehicle is moving.

Shifting Into 4 m

Turn the knob to 4 m at any speed up to 121 km/h (75 mph), except from 4 n. The indicator light will flash while shifting and will remain on the selected setting.

Shifting Into 2 m

Turn the knob to 2 m at any speed, except when shifting from 4 n.

Shifting Into 4 n

When 4 n is engaged, vehicle speed should be kept below 72 km/h (45 mph).

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).

Turn the knob to 4 n. Wait for the 4 n indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission into gear.

If the transmission is in gear and/or moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4 n indicator light will flash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift. After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to 4 m. Turn the knob

to 4 m to see the indicator. With the

vehicle moving less than 5 km/h

(3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

Shifting Out of 4 n

To shift out of 4 n the vehicle must be stopped or moving

less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition in on. It is best for the vehicle to be moving

1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).

Turn the knob to 4 m or 2 m. Wait for the 4 m or 2 m indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission

into gear.

If the transmission is in gear and/or moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4 m or 2 m indicator light will flash for 30 seconds, but will not complete the shift. With the vehicle moving

less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

Shifting Into N (Neutral)

To shift:

Park the vehicle on a level surface.

Set the parking brake and press and hold the brake pedal. See Parking Brake 0 271.

Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on.

Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Shift the transfer case to 2 m.

Turn the transfer case knob clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the N (Neutral) light starts flashing. This will take at least 10 seconds. Then slowly release the knob to the 4 n

position. The N (Neutral) light

will come on when the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.

With the engine running, verify that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to R (Reverse), then to D (Drive). There should be no movement of the vehicle while shifting the transmission.

Turn the engine off, and the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.

Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park). See Recreational Vehicle Towing 0 413.

Turn the ignition off.

Shifting Out of N (Neutral)

To shift:

Set the parking brake and apply the brake pedal.

Turn the ignition on with the engine off.

Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Turn the transfer case knob to 2 m.

After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will go out.

Release the parking brake.

Start the engine and shift the transmission to the

desired gear.

If equipped, use the transfer case knob next to the steering wheel to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.

All of the lights will flash on then off momentarily when the ignition is turned on. The light that remains on will indicate the state of the

transfer case.

If the indicator mark on the knob does not match up with the light then that likely means the knob was moved when the ignition was off.

The indicator mark on the knob must line up with the indicator light before a shift can be commanded. To command a shift rotate the transfer case knob to the new desired position. The light will flash meaning that the shift is in progress. When the shift is completed the new position will be illuminated. If the transfer case cannot complete a shift command, it will go back to its last chosen setting.

The settings are:

N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle needs to be towed.

See Recreational Vehicle Towing

0 413 or Towing the Vehicle 0 413.

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.

AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : Use when road surface traction 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 than 2 m.

Do not use AUTO mode,

if equipped, to park on a steep grade with poor traction such as ice, snow, mud, or gravel. In AUTO mode only the rear wheels will hold the vehicle from sliding when parked. If parking on a steep grade, use 4 m to keep all four wheels

engaged.

m (Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this position when extra traction is

needed, such as when driving on snowy or icy roads, when

off-roading, or when plowing snow.

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 while climbing or descending steep hills.

Shifting into 4 n will turn Traction Control and StabiliTrak off. See

Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 273.

Shifting Into 4 m or AUTO

Turn the knob to the 4 m or AUTO position at any speed, except from 4 n. The indicator light will flash while shifting and will remain on when the shift is completed.

Shifting Into 2 m

Turn the knob to 2 m at any speed, except when shifting from 4 n. The indicator light will flash while shifting

and will remain on when the shift is completed.

Shifting Into 4 n

When 4 n is engaged, keep vehicle speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).

To shift:

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).

Turn the knob to 4 n. Wait for the 4 n indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the

transmission into gear.

If the transmission is in gear and/or moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4 n indicator light will flash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift. After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to 4 m. Turn the knob

to 4 m to display the indicator. With

the vehicle moving less than 5 km/h

(3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

Shifting Out of 4 n

To shift:

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).

Turn the knob to 4 m, AUTO, or 2 m. Wait for the 4 m, AUTO, or 2 m indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the

transmission into gear.

If the transmission is in gear and/or moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4 m, AUTO, or 2 m indicator light will flash for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift. With the vehicle

moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

Shifting Into N (Neutral)

To shift into N (Neutral):

Park the vehicle on a level surface.

Set the parking brake and press and hold the brake pedal. See Parking Brake 0 271.

Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on.

Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Shift the transfer case to 2 m.

Turn the transfer case knob clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the N (Neutral) light starts flashing. This will take at least 10 seconds. Then slowly release the knob to the 4 n

position. The N (Neutral) light

will come on when the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.

With the engine running, verify that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to R (Reverse), then shift the transmission to D (Drive). There should be no movement of the vehicle while shifting the transmission.

Turn the engine off, and the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.

Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).

Turn the ignition to off.

Shifting Out of N (Neutral)

To shift out of N (Neutral):

Set the parking brake and apply the brake pedal.

Turn the ignition on with the engine off.

Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Turn the transfer case knob to the desired setting.

After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will go out.

Release the parking brake.

Start the engine and shift the transmission to the

desired gear.