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Imagine dropping $60,000 on a brand-new 2026 Chevy Silverado only to find the glovebox empty of the one thing every driver needs: the owner’s manual. When one loyal customer asked for his, the Chevrolet dealer’s response was a $90 price tag and a digital brush-off.
Rod Hiltz on the 2019 - 2026 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Owners Facebook page says,
“For three decades, I've been buying vehicles for my wife and me from the same local Chevy dealership. They've made a lot of money from our business. A few weeks ago, I wrote them a check for over $60,000 for my 2026 Silverado, and I went in for the first service. I told them I wasn't sure when to schedule the first oil change because I couldn't find the owner's manual. I was told it's in the computer on the dash, and if I want a hard copy, I'd have to pay $90 for it! I am not a troglodyte. I can use computers, but some things belong on paper. If the battery is dead, how do I access the computer? I am not sitting in the truck during a freezing Maine winter to read the owner's manual. I see I can get it on my phone, but at 66 years old, that's not where I want to read. Plus, who doesn't love to chill out in their recliner with a coffee to read an owner's manual? It'll be a cold day in hell when I pay $90 for an owner's manual. Has anyone been able to get their dealer to give them an owner's manual?”
The $60,000 Truck With a $90 "Hidden" Fee: Why Your 2026 Silverado Didn't Come With a Manual
I have seen some questionable cost-cutting measures, but the disappearing owner's manual is one that truly rubs salt in the wound for truck buyers. When a customer like Rod, who has been loyal to the same Chevy dealership for 30 years, hands over $60,000 for a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500, he expects the basics.
Instead, he was met with a $90 bill for a paper book that used to be a standard staple of the "new car smell." As I noted in my recent report, 2019 Silverado Owner Just Paid Chevrolet $13K For a New Engine, He Adds, “I've Been Team GM My Whole Life, But These New Silverados May Scare Me Away From GM”, long-term loyalty is being tested by high costs and shifting corporate policies. For many, the lack of a physical manual is the final straw.
The Problem With "Digital Only" in a Truck
General Motors isn't alone in this, but it is undoubtedly leading the charge toward a paperless cabin. The manufacturer's logic is simple: it saves weight, reduces paper waste, and allows the information to be updated in real-time via the infotainment screen. However, as Rod pointed out, a digital owner's manual for the Chevy Silverado is useless if your battery is dead or if the infotainment screen experiences the "black screen of death" that some owners have reported.
Imagine being stuck in a Maine winter, the truck won't start, and the very instructions you need to jump-start it or find the fuse box are locked behind a screen that won't turn on. That isn't just an inconvenience; it is a safety oversight. Furthermore, reading a 500-page document on a dashboard screen while sitting in a cold garage is nobody's idea of a good time.
Navigating the High Cost of Modern Maintenance
The "nickel and diming" of the consumer doesn't stop at the glovebox. We are seeing a trend where the cost of ownership is skyrocketing even after the initial purchase. I recently covered another case of sticker shock in a 2022 Chevy Silverado Owner Is Quoted $1,400 For a 45K Transmission Service By the Dealer. Between $90 manuals and $1,400 transmission flushes, the total cost of ownership for a 2026 Silverado is becoming a major hurdle for the average working person.
If you find yourself in Rod’s shoes, there are a few actionable recommendations I can offer:
1. Negotiate During the Sale: If you are currently shopping for a new truck, make a physical owner's manual a condition of the deal. The dealer has more wiggle room when you are holding a $60,000 check than they do during a routine oil change.
2. Go Directly to Helm Inc: Most people don't realize that dealers aren't printing these books. They order them from a company called Helm Inc. You can often buy the official manual directly from the source for significantly less than the "dealer markup" price.
3. Download and Print Specific Sections: You can find the PDF version for free on the Chevrolet website. While printing 400 pages is a hassle, printing the fuse box diagrams and fluid capacities to keep in the glovebox is a free way to ensure you have the "emergency" info you need.
Why the "Old School" Approach Still Matters
There is a certain level of trust and transparency in automotive sales that is lost when the manufacturer assumes every customer wants to use an app. For an owner who is 66 years old, or anyone who values tactile information, the "paperless" move feels like a dismissal of their needs.
I’ve seen this frustration boil over frequently in the community. In my report, My 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 Broke So Often, I Made GM Buy It Back; I Hope This Stripped-Down 2025 Silverado 1500 I Just Bought Is More Reliable, I discussed how owners are increasingly looking for simplicity over high-tech complexity. A paper manual is the ultimate symbol of that simplicity.
Key Takeaways for Silverado Owners
- Manuals are now an "Add-on": Most 2025 and 2026 GM models do not include a physical book by default.
- Check the Infotainment: Your manual is likely pre-loaded into your truck’s "MyChevy" app on the dashboard screen.
- Source it Cheaper: Avoid the $90–$100 dealer quotes by looking at third-party retailers or ordering directly from the official literature supplier, Helm Inc.
- PDF is Your Friend: Download the free PDF to your smartphone, so you have it even if the truck’s battery dies.
What Silverado Owners Are Saying
The sentiment online reflects Rod's frustration, with many owners feeling that a premium price should include premium service.
"Got my $60k 2025 Silverado on Monday. No manuals came with it. Talked to the dealer and Chevy customer service... All manuals are online. No more hard copies. The manual is 469 pages long. WTF." Reddit User cougrr68
"I have no idea what pages I need next time I'm stranded at a dark roadside in the woods with a broken phone." Reddit User MaybeTheDoctor
"For as much as they charge for a new vehicle, I think it's ridiculous that they are doing that." Reddit User on r/ram_trucks
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a $60,000 truck is a massive investment, and a $90 book is a small price for a manufacturer to pay to keep a 30-year customer happy. By shifting to a digital-only format, Chevrolet is saving pennies but losing the trust of loyal fans who prefer the reliability of paper over a screen. Whether you are 26 or 66, having a physical guide in the glovebox provides a level of security that an app simply cannot match.
Tell Us What You Think
Would you pay $90 for a physical owner's manual, or are you happy using the digital version on your dashboard? Let us know in the comments below!
Next Up: If you think the lack of a manual is a headache, wait until you hear about the "Baby Max." One owner's dream of a fuel-efficient diesel turned into a back-ordered nightmare. 2025 Chevy Silverado Duramax Owner Says His 3.0L Crapped-Out 5K In, and Is On National Back Order, He Adds, “Except My Payments Are Not On Back Order” Read the full story here.
With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.
Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
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