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:
Useful information about a tire is molded into the sidewall. The examples show
a typical passenger and light truck tire sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric)/Spare Tire
(1) Tire Size : The tire size code is a combination of letters and numbers
used to define a particular tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description...
Uplevel Metric Fuel Gauge Shown, Base Level and Midlevel Fuel
Gauge Similar
Uplevel English Fuel Gauge Shown, Base Level and Midlevel Fuel
Gauge Similar
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge indicates about how much fuel is left
in the tank...