As the Bow Tie brand’s heavy-duty pickup offering, the Silverado HD is a highly proficient truck ready to tackle all sorts of situations. To better its capabilities, the HD pickup utilizes a variety of Drive Modes, so with that in mind, GM Authority is taking a closer look at the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD Drive Modes in the following explainer.
The 2024 Silverado HD is available with up to four Drive Modes, including Normal, Snow / Ice, Off-Road, and Tow / Haul. The Driver Mode Control knob can be rotated clockwise to make the appropriate selection. Notably, the Tow / Haul button may be located on the Drive Mode Control knob or the center stack.
Normal
Normal Mode is used for regular city and highway driving to provide a smooth ride, and allows for a balance between comfort and handling. This Drive Mode is the standard or default setting, and has no persistent indicator in the instrument cluster.
Snow / Ice
Snow / Ice Mode is used to improve acceleration on snow- and ice-covered roads. When activated, this Drive Mode will adjust acceleration to optimize traction on slippery surfaces. However, Snow / Ice Mode can comprise acceleration on dry asphalt, and is not intended for use when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow, or gravel.
Off-Road
Off-Road Mode is used for all-terrain recreational driving, and modifies pedal mapping, transmission shift patterns, Antilock Brake System (ABS), StabiliTrak / Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Traction Control System (TCS) performance. This Drive Mode improves driving at moderate speeds and on grass, gravel, dirt, unpaved roads, or snow-covered roads.
Tow / Haul
Tow / Haul Mode is used for pulling heavy loads that require increased performance and vehicle control. This Drive Mode adjusts transmission shift patterns, trailer sway, and steering, and automatically activates exhaust braking if the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine. When engaged, Tow / Haul Mode will implement a shift pattern that uses the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.
Extras
Although it’s not a Drive Mode, the automatic mechanical locking rear axle complements other Drive Modes by providing additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand, or gravel. When traction is low, and there’s a significant wheel speed difference between the wheels on the rear axle, the mechanical locking axle will engage, which connects the rear wheels together and allows the drive wheel with the most traction to move the vehicle. When there’s no longer a driveline load from side-to-side, the feature will disengage.
Be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for Chevy Silverado HD news, Chevy news, GM technology news, and more obsessive-compulsive GM news coverage.
Comments
Mostly useless and something else to fix.
Tow/haul has been around for 25yrs.
If you do not know how to properly work the pedal on snow you should head to Florida till spring.
Still haven’t heard much on the front axle traction control system. Would like to see how well that works, if it is as good as Jeep and Toyota in braking the front wheel in the air and sending power to the other front wheel. This negates a front axle locker for 99.9% of those who would have these vehicles and is a much better choice for an IFS in all ways. I do believe it does have something like that but haven’t seen or heard a clear indication on it. Can see it work well in things like the AT4 Yukon.