Towing 2016 Silverado 4x4 question
In towing my 2016 Silverado behind the motorhome, I have been leaving the tranny in D after disconnecting the battery. The owner's manual is a little unclear on whether to leave it in Park or Drive. J...
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Although it is arguably one of the more complicated procedures I've seen it is pretty straightforward:
From the 2016 Silverado 1500 Owners Manual, Pg 448
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles with a two-speed transfer case that have an N (Neutral) and a Four-Wheel Drive Low (4 (n) setting.
Warning Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or others could be injured. Set the parking brake before shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral).
To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine. For vehicles with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), the parking brake cannot be applied and the tires must be chocked.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under Four-Wheel Drive 0 297. Check that the vehicle is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to R (Reverse) and then to D (Drive). There should be no movement of the vehicle while shifting.
5. Shift the transmission into D (Drive). Turn the engine off. Then shift the transmission into (Park).
6. Wait for at least 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
7. Shift the transmission to D (Drive), then turn the engine off again. Caution Failure to disconnect the negative battery cable or to have it contact the terminals can cause damage to the vehicle.
8. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and secure the nut and bolt. Cover the negative battery post with a non-conductive material to prevent any contact with the negative battery terminal.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park). Caution If the steering column is locked, vehicle damage may occur.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing- .S./Canada/Mexico-9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15 Vehicle Care 449
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. With a foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Keep the ignition key in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY to prevent the steering column from locking.
From the 2016 Silverado 1500 Owners Manual, Pg 448
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles with a two-speed transfer case that have an N (Neutral) and a Four-Wheel Drive Low (4 (n) setting.
Warning Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or others could be injured. Set the parking brake before shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral).
To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine. For vehicles with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), the parking brake cannot be applied and the tires must be chocked.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under Four-Wheel Drive 0 297. Check that the vehicle is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to R (Reverse) and then to D (Drive). There should be no movement of the vehicle while shifting.
5. Shift the transmission into D (Drive). Turn the engine off. Then shift the transmission into (Park).
6. Wait for at least 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
7. Shift the transmission to D (Drive), then turn the engine off again. Caution Failure to disconnect the negative battery cable or to have it contact the terminals can cause damage to the vehicle.
8. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and secure the nut and bolt. Cover the negative battery post with a non-conductive material to prevent any contact with the negative battery terminal.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park). Caution If the steering column is locked, vehicle damage may occur.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing- .S./Canada/Mexico-9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15 Vehicle Care 449
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. With a foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Keep the ignition key in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY to prevent the steering column from locking.
