2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Owners Manual - Starting and Operating

Starting and Operating

New Vehicle Break-In

Ignition Positions (Key Access)

Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF

ACC/ACCESSORY

ON/RUN

START

The ignition switch has four positions.

To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be applied.

0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF) : This position turns off the vehicle. It also locks the ignition, the transmission, and the steering column, if equipped with a locking steering column.

To turn off the vehicle:

Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.

Shift to P (Park).

Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0 240.

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to LOCK/OFF.

Remove the key.

Release the brake pedal.

See your dealer if the key can be removed in any other position.

Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 229.

A warning chime will sound when the driver door is opened and the key is in the ignition.

If equipped with a locking steering column, the steering can bind with the front wheels turned off center, which may prevent key rotation out of LOCK/OFF. If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.

If this does not work, then the vehicle needs service.

In an emergency, if the vehicle cannot be pulled over and must be turned off while driving:

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.

Brake using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete power assist, requiring increased brake pedal force.

Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving. Continue braking and steer the vehicle to a safe location.

Come to a complete stop.

Shift to P (Park).

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1), then turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF (2).

Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0 240.

Remove the key.

Release the brake pedal.

(ACC/ACCESSORY) : This position allows features such as the infotainment system to operate while the vehicle is off. It also unlocks the steering column, if equipped with a locking steering column. Use this position if the vehicle must be pushed or towed. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 229.

From ON/RUN, push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.

If the key is left in ACC/ACCESSORY with the engine off, the battery could drain and the vehicle may not start.

A warning chime will sound when the driver door is opened and the key is in the ignition.

(ON/RUN) : This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display some instrument cluster warning and indicator lights. This position can also be used for service and diagnostics, and to verify the proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp as may be required for emission inspection purposes. The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The transmission is also unlocked in this position.

If the key is left in ON/RUN with the engine off, the battery could drain and the vehicle may not start.

(START) : This is the position that starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition returns to ON/RUN for driving.

Vehicles equipped with Keyless Access have pushbutton starting.

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter must be in the vehicle for the system to operate. If the pushbutton start is not working, the vehicle may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing interference to

the Keyless Access system. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key Access) 0 10 or

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Keyless Access) 0 13.

To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be on or in Service Mode, and the brake pedal must be applied.

Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No Indicator Lights) : When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE START/STOP once to turn the engine off.

If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will turn off, and Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 229.

If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the ignition will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver

Information Center (DIC). When the vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the ignition system will turn off.

The vehicle may have an electric steering column lock. The lock is activated when the ignition is turned off and driver door is opened. A sound may be heard as the lock actuates or releases. The steering column lock may not release with the wheels turned off center. If this happens, the vehicle may not start. Move the steering wheel from left to right while attempting to start the vehicle. If this does not work, the vehicle needs service.

Unless an emergency exists, do not turn the engine off when the vehicle is moving. This will cause a loss of power assist in the brake and steering systems and disable the airbags.

If the vehicle must be shut off in an emergency:

If the vehicle cannot be pulled over, and must be shut off while driving, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP button for longer than two seconds, or press twice in five seconds.

Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete power assist, requiring increased brake pedal force.

Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving. After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe location.

Come to a complete stop, shift to

P (Park), and make sure engine is off. The shift lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition off.

Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0 240.

ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator Light) : This mode allows some electrical accessories to be used when the engine is off.

With the ignition off, pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button one time without the brake pedal applied will place the ignition system in ACC/ACCESSORY.

The ignition will switch from ACC/ ACCESSORY to off after five minutes to prevent battery rundown.

ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light) : This mode is for driving and starting. With the ignition off, and the brake pedal applied, pressing ENGINE START/STOP button once will turn the ignition on. Once engine cranking begins, release the button. Engine cranking will continue until the engine starts. See Starting the Engine 0 227.

Service Mode

This power mode is available for service and diagnostics, and to verify the proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp as may be required for emission inspection purposes. With the vehicle off, and the brake pedal not applied, pressing and holding the ENGINE START/STOP button for more than five seconds will place the vehicle in Service Mode. The instruments and audio systems will operate as they do when the ignition is on, but the vehicle will not be

able to be driven. The engine will not start in Service Mode. Press the ENGINE START/ STOP button again to turn the ignition off.

If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.

Move the shift lever to P (Park) or

N (Neutral). To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use

N (Neutral) only.

For Key Access vehicles, turn the ignition key to Start. When the engine starts, let go of the key. For Keyless Access vehicles, the RKE transmitter must be in the vehicle. Press ENGINE START/STOP with the brake pedal applied. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button.

The driver may observe a minor, and temporary, brake pedal kickback when starting the vehicle. This is normal.

The idle speed will go down as the engine gets warm. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

When the low fuel warning light is on and the FUEL LEVEL LOW message is displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC), hold the ignition switch in the START position to continue engine cranking.

If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there while holding the key in START or ENGINE START/STOP for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of the key or button and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate

the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.

If equipped, the engine heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with an engine heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist, which will prevent engine heater operation at temperatures above

−18 °C (0 °F).

Turn off the engine.

Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it. See your dealer for a replacement. Inspect the cord for damage yearly.

Plug the heater cord into the connector on the vehicle.

Plug the cord into a grounded 110-volt AC outlet that is protected by a ground fault detection function.

Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord.

The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this.

When the ignition is turned from on to off, the following features (if equipped) will continue to function for up to 10 minutes, or until the driver door is opened. These features will also work when the ignition is in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:

Infotainment System

Power Windows (during RAP this functionality will be lost when any door is opened)

Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will be lost when any door is opened)

Auxiliary Power Outlet

Audio System

OnStar System

Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0 240.

Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it will go.

Be sure the transfer case, if equipped, is in a drive gear, not in N (Neutral).

Turn the ignition off. For Key Access, push the ignition key in, toward the steering column, and then turn the ignition off.

For Key Access, remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).

For Keyless Access, take the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter with you.

If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After moving the shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without first pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park).

If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission. You will then be able to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).

This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock release system. The system is designed to prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park), unless the brake pedal is applied and the ignition is on or in Service Mode.

The shift lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage – less than 9 volt – battery.

If the vehicle has an uncharged or low voltage battery, try charging or jump starting the battery. See Jump Starting - North America 0 367.

To shift out of P (Park):

Apply the brake pedal.

Release the parking brake if it is applied. See Electric Parking Brake 0 240.

Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired position, and release.

If the vehicle still cannot be shifted out of P (Park):

Ease the pressure on, or release the shift lever.

While holding the brake pedal, push the shift lever all the way into P (Park).

Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired position, and release.

If there is still a problem shifting, have the vehicle serviced soon.

Extended Parking

It is best not to park with the vehicle running. If the vehicle is left running, be sure it will not move and there is adequate ventilation.

See Shifting Into Park 0 230 and

Engine Exhaust 0 232.

If the vehicle is left parked and running with the RKE transmitter outside the vehicle, it will continue to run for up to half an hour.

If the vehicle is left parked and running with the RKE transmitter inside the vehicle, it will continue to run for up to an hour.

The vehicle could turn off sooner if it is parked on a hill, due to lack of available fuel.

The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken out of P (Park) while it is running.