2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Owners Manual

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NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the hotline. (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Service Publications Ordering Information Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00 Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual This manual provides information on unit repair service procedures, adjustments, and speciﬁcations for GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediately notify Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to: Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street Tower C Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us. Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write: Chevrolet Motor Division Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33170 Detroit, MI 48232-5170 In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 7-11 Service Bulletins Service Bulletins give technical service information needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle. In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE (1-800-463-7483). Owner’s Information Owner publications are written speciﬁcally for owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 Current and Past Model Order Forms Service Publications are available for current and past model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please specify year and model name of the vehicle. ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com Or you can write to: Helm, Incorporated P. O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery. Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make checks payable in U.S. funds. 7-12 A Accessory Power Outlets ................................. 3-21 Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment ......... 4-61 Adding Washer Fluid ....................................... 5-40 Additional Program Information ........................... 7-9 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6 Add-On Equipment .......................................... 4-60 Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal .................. 2-31 Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) ...... 3-73, 3-83 After Off-Road Driving ..................................... 4-33 Air Bag Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-35 Readiness Light .......................................... 3-33 Air Bag Systems ..................................... 1-50, 1-56 Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ................................................... 1-64 How Does an Air Bag Restrain? .................... 1-57 Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-59 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ......... 1-64 What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate? .................... 1-57 What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates? ...... 1-58 When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate? ................... 1-55 Where Are the Air Bags? .............................. 1-53 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-21 Air Conditioning .............................................. 3-26 Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) ...... 7-9 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ................ 5-109 AM ............................................................. 3-108 Antenna, Fixed Mast ...................................... 3-109 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ..................................................... 3-109 Anti-lock Brake System ..................................... 4-7 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light ............... 3-39 Appearance Care .......................................... 5-104 Care of Safety Belts ................................... 5-107 Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 5-110 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle .............. 5-104 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle ............ 5-107 Finish Damage .......................................... 5-110 Sheet Metal Damage .................................. 5-110 Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-110 Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ............... 5-111 Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-107 Approaching a Hill .......................................... 4-24 Ashtrays ........................................................ 3-21 Audio Output ................................................ 3-102 Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-68 Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-107 Care of Your CD and DVD Player ................ 3-108 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-108 Chime Level Adjustment ............................. 3-109 Fixed Mast Antenna ................................... 3-109 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-69 Radio with Six-Disc CD ................................ 3-80 Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-105 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-69 Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-106 Understanding Radio Reception ................... 3-108 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-109 Automatic Climate Control System ..................... 3-22 Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation .......... 2-49, 2-52 Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-15 Automatic Transfer Case .................................. 2-37 Automatic Transmission Fluid .......................................................... 5-23 Operation ................................................... 2-33 Auxiliary Battery .............................................. 4-79 Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch ................. 3-18 Backing Up .................................................... 4-73 Battery .......................................................... 5-44 BATTERY NOT CHARGING ............................. 3-62 Battery Replacement ......................................... 2-6 Battery Run-Down Protection ............................ 3-20 Before Leaving on a Long Trip ......................... 4-40 Before You Drive ............................................ 3-94 Before You Go Off-Roading .............................. 4-19 Brake Parking ...................................................... 2-41 System Warning Light .................................. 3-37 Brake Adjustment ............................................ 5-44 Brake Fluid .................................................... 5-41 Brake Pedal, Throttle ....................................... 2-31 Brake Pedal Travel ......................................... 5-44 Brake Wear ................................................... 5-43 Brakes .......................................................... 5-41 Braking ........................................................... 4-6 Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-8 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-28 BUCKLE PASSENGER .................................... 3-65 BUCKLE SEATBELT ....................................... 3-65 Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-55 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........ 5-61 Daytime Running Lamps ............................... 5-61 Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime Running Lamps ........................................ 5-59 Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps .................................................... 5-58 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-55 Headlamps ................................................. 5-55 Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-62 Taillamps .................................................... 5-61 Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-78 California Fuel .................................................. 5-5 Canada – Customer Assistance .......................... 7-5 Canadian Owners ................................................ ii Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7 Capacities and Speciﬁcations .......................... 5-122 Carbon Monoxide ........... 4-44, 4-66, 2-13, 2-22, 2-46 Care of Safety Belts .............................................. 5-107 Your CD and DVD Player ........................... 3-108 Your CDs and DVDs .................................. 3-108 Cargo Area, All-Weather .................................. 2-75 Cargo Area Floor Drains .................................. 2-80 Cargo Cover Panels ........................................ 2-65 Cargo Lamps ................................................. 3-18 Cargo Panel Storage System ............................ 2-67 Cargo Tie Downs ............................................ 2-75 CD Messages ........................................ 3-80, 3-94 Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-63 Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts .... 1-22 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........... 5-61 Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ................ 5-116 Center Overhead Console ................................ 2-63 Chains, Tires .................................................. 5-82 CHANGE ENGINE OIL .................................... 3-60 Charging System Light .................................... 3-36 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-43 CHECK OIL LEVEL ......................................... 3-61 CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ............................... 3-68 CHECK WASHER FLUID ................................. 3-63 Checking Brake Fluid ...................................... 5-42 Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-28 Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-16 Checking Things Under the Hood ....................... 5-9 Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-65 Chemical Paint Spotting ................................. 5-110 Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-36 Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-32 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) .......................... 1-41 Older Children ............................................. 1-30 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ........................................ 1-43 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position .................................................. 1-43 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position ........................................... 1-45 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ........................................... 1-46 Top Strap ................................................... 1-39 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................ 1-41 Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-38 Chime Level Adjustment ................................. 3-109 Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-21 Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle ................................. 5-104 Outside of Your Vehicle .............................. 5-107 Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-110 Video Screen ............................................ 3-108 Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-107 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ...................... 5-108 Cleaning Fabric/Carpet ................................... 5-104 Cleaning Glass Surfaces ................................ 5-106 Cleaning Interior Plastic Components ............... 5-106 Cleaning Leather ........................................... 5-106 Cleaning the Mirror ................................. 2-51, 2-54 Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel ......... 5-106 Cleaning Vinyl .............................................. 5-106 Climate Control System Automatic ................................................... 3-22 Climate Controls Personalization .................... 3-30 Dual .......................................................... 3-28 Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 3-30 Compass Calibration ............................... 2-51, 2-52 Compass Operation ......................................... 2-52 Compass Variance .................................. 2-50, 2-53 Content Theft-Deferrent .................................... 2-26 Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-5 Coolant Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-41 Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-31 Surge Tank Pressure Cap ............................. 5-29 Cooling System .............................................. 5-32 Cruise Control ................................................ 3-11 Cruise Control Light ........................................ 3-47 Current and Past Model Order Forms ................ 7-12 Customer Assistance Information Courtesy Transportation .................................. 7-7 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users ....................................................... 7-4 Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-4 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities ................................................ 7-5 Customer Assistance Information (cont.) Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .... 7-11 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government ............................................ 7-11 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government ............................................ 7-10 Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-6 Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-11 Daytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-16 Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-2 Defogging and Defrosting ......................... 3-27, 3-29 Delayed Locking ............................................... 2-9 Dinghy Towing ................................................ 4-52 Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-3 Dolly Towing .................................................. 4-53 Dome Lamps ................................................. 3-19 Door Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-9 Locks .......................................................... 2-8 Power Door Locks ......................................... 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-12 Driver Position, Safety Belt ..................................... 1-14 DRIVER DOOR AJAR ..................................... 3-65 Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-49 DIC Operation and Displays .......................... 3-50 DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-60 Driving At Night ..................................................... 4-34 City ........................................................... 4-38 Defensive ..................................................... 4-2 Drunken ....................................................... 4-2 Freeway ..................................................... 4-39 Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-42 In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-35 Winter ........................................................ 4-44 Driving Across an Incline .................................. 4-29 Driving Downhill .............................................. 4-28 Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice .................... 4-32 Driving in Water .............................................. 4-32 Driving On Grades .......................................... 4-74 Driving on Off-Road Hills ................................. 4-24 Driving on Snow or Ice .................................... 4-44 Driving Through Deep Standing Water ............... 4-37 Driving Through Flowing Water ......................... 4-37 Driving Uphill .................................................. 4-25 Driving with a Trailer ....................................... 4-72 Dual Climate Control System ............................ 3-28 DVD Cleaning the Video Screen .......................... 3-108 Distortion .................................................. 3-107 DVD (cont.) Rear Seat Entertainment System ................... 3-94 DVD Player .................................................... 3-95 Easy Exit Seat ............................................... 2-90 Electrical System ........................................... 5-113 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-114 Power Windows and Other Power Options .... 5-113 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-113 Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs ................................................... 3-45 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-21 Battery ....................................................... 5-44 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-43 Coolant ...................................................... 5-26 Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-31 Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-41 Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-12 Exhaust ..................................................... 2-46 Fan Noise .................................................. 5-38 Oil ............................................................. 5-16 Overheating ................................................ 5-29 Starting ...................................................... 2-30 ENGINE COOLANT HOT ................................. 3-61 Engine Oil Additives ........................................ 5-19 ENGINE OVERHEATED .................................. 3-61 Entertainment System Cleaning the Video Screen .......................... 3-108 DVD Distortion .......................................... 3-107 Entry Lighting ................................................. 3-19 Environmental Concerns .................................. 4-21 Erasing HomeLink® Buttons .............................. 2-62 Event Data Records (EDR) ................................ 7-9 Exit Lighting ................................................... 3-19 Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-29 Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-14 Filter Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-21 Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station (RDS and XM™) ................................. 3-73, 3-84 Finding a Station .................................... 3-71, 3-82 Finish Care .................................................. 5-108 Finish Damage ............................................. 5-110 Fixed Mast Antenna ....................................... 3-109 Flash-to-Pass ................................................... 3-9 Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-83 Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-84 Fluid Automatic Transmission ................................ 5-23 Power Steering ........................................... 5-38 Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-40 FM Stereo .................................................... 3-108 Fog Lamps .................................................... 3-17 Following Distance .......................................... 4-73 Four-Wheel Drive .................................... 2-36, 5-53 Front Armrest Storage Area .............................. 2-63 Front Axle ...................................................... 5-54 Front Axle Locking Feature ............................... 2-36 Frontal Air Bags ............................................. 1-55 Fuel ............................................................... 5-4 Additives ...................................................... 5-6 California Fuel .............................................. 5-5 Filling a Portable Fuel Container ..................... 5-9 Filling Your Tank ........................................... 5-7 Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-6 Gage ......................................................... 3-48 Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-4 Gasoline Speciﬁcations .................................. 5-5 Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-48 Fuel Information Button .................................... 3-52 FUEL LEVEL LOW ......................................... 3-63 Fuses Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-114 Windshield Wiper ....................................... 5-113 G Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-41 Fuel .......................................................... 3-48 Oil Pressure ............................................... 3-46 Speedometer .............................................. 3-33 Tachometer ................................................. 3-33 Transmission Temperature ............................. 3-41 Voltmeter Gage ........................................... 3-37 Garage Door Opener ....................................... 2-59 Gasoline Octane ........................................................ 5-4 Speciﬁcations ............................................... 5-5 Gate Operator and Canadian Programming ........ 2-61 Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving ................ 4-22 Glove Box ..................................................... 2-63 GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities .................................................... 7-5 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6 Head Restraints ............................................... 1-7 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer .................... 3-9 Headlamps .................................................... 5-55 Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-55 Daytime Running Lamps ............................... 5-61 Headlamps (cont.) Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime Running Lamps ........................................ 5-59 Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps .................................................... 5-58 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-55 Headphones ................................................. 3-101 Heated Seats ................................................... 1-4 Heating ......................................................... 3-26 Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-41 Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-42 Hitches .......................................................... 4-71 HomeLink® Transmitter .................................... 2-59 HomeLink® Transmitter, Programming ................ 2-59 Hood Checking Things Under .................................. 5-9 Release ..................................................... 5-10 Horn ............................................................... 3-7 How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank ...... 5-34 How to Add Fluid ............................................ 5-26 How to Check ........................................ 5-24, 5-72 How to Check Lubricant ................................... 5-52 How to Check Power Steering Fluid .................. 5-39 How to Inspect ............................................... 5-21 How to Use This Manual ...................................... ii How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14 Hydroplaning .................................................. 4-37 I If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-31 If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-30 If the Light is Flashing ..................................... 3-44 If the Light Is On Steady ................................. 3-44 If You Are Caught in a Blizzard ......................... 4-46 If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ....... 4-48 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-66 Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-29 Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors ......................... 2-25 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-32 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................... 5-72 Instrument Panel Cluster ....................................................... 3-32 Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Instrument Panel Brightness ............................. 3-19 Instrument Panel Fuse Block .......................... 5-114 Interior Lamps ................................................ 3-19 Jump Starting ................................................. 5-45 KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW ............................. 3-66 Keyless Entry System ....................................... 2-4 Keys ............................................................... 2-3 Lamps Exterior ...................................................... 3-14 Interior ....................................................... 3-19 Lamps On Reminder ....................................... 3-16 Lap Belt ........................................................ 1-23 Lap-Shoulder Belt ................................... 1-14, 1-24 LATCH System Child Restraints ........................................... 1-41 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ........................................ 1-43 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running ... 2-44 LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR ................................ 3-66 Level Control .................................................. 4-60 Light Air Bag Readiness ....................................... 3-33 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-39 Light (cont.) Brake System Warning ................................. 3-37 Charging System ......................................... 3-36 Cruise Control ............................................. 3-47 Low Fuel Warning ....................................... 3-48 Low Tire Pressure Warning Light ................... 3-39 Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-43 Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator ................ 3-35 Safety Belt Reminder ................................... 3-33 Security ..................................................... 3-47 Tow/Haul Mode ........................................... 3-47 Traction Off ................................................ 3-40 Listening to a DVD ......................................... 3-94 Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-54 Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving .......... 4-20 Locking Rear Axle ........................................... 4-11 Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-12 Locks Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-9 Door ........................................................... 2-8 Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-12 Power Door .................................................. 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-12 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-18 LOW COOLANT LEVEL .................................. 3-61 Low Fuel Warning Light ................................... 3-48 Luggage Carrier .............................................. 2-63 Lumbar Power Controls ............................................. 1-3 Maintenance and Cleaning ............................... 2-76 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6 At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-9 At Least Once a Month ................................ 6-10 At Least Once a Year .................................. 6-10 Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-8 Maintenance Record .................................... 6-16 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ......... 6-15 Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-9 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-13 Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4 Using Your ................................................... 6-3 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 Maintenance When Trailer Towing ..................... 4-76 Making Turns ................................................. 4-73 Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-43 Manual Passenger Seat .................................... 1-2 Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle ............... 2-6 Memory Seat ................................................. 2-88 Message DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-60 Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) – Customer Assistance ....................... 7-5 Midgate ......................................................... 2-13 Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning ....... 2-79 Midgate Operation ........................................... 2-13 Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass and Temperature Display ........................... 2-51 Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-48 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View Assist ............................................. 2-56 Outside Camper-Type Mirrors ........................ 2-54 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-55 Outside Heated Mirrors ................................ 2-56 Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-54 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-3 New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-28 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ............ 6-15 Odometer ...................................................... 3-33 Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-16 Oil Engine ....................................................... 5-16 Pressure Gage ............................................ 3-46 OIL LIFE RESET ............................................ 3-61 OIL PRESSURE LOW ..................................... 3-61 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-30 Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-3 OnStar® Personal Calling ................................. 2-58 OnStar® Services ............................................ 2-57 OnStar® Steering Wheel Controls ...................... 2-58 OnStar® System ............................................. 2-57 OnStar® Virtual Advisor .................................... 2-58 Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off Paved Roads .............................................. 4-19 10 Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-7 Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-30 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View Assist ..................................................... 2-56 Camper-Type Mirrors .................................... 2-54 Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-55 Heated Mirrors ............................................ 2-56 Power Mirrors ............................................. 2-54 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ... 5-29 Overseas – Customer Assistance ........................ 7-5 Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-9 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii Owner’s Information ........................................ 7-12 Park (P) Parking Shifting Into ................................................ 2-42 Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-45 Brake ........................................................ 2-41 Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-45 Parking on Hills .............................................. 4-75 Passenger Air Bag Indicator ..................... 2-51, 2-54 Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator ................... 3-35 PASSENGER DOOR AJAR .............................. 3-65 Passenger Sensing System .............................. 1-59 Passing ................................................. 4-16, 4-73 Passlock® ...................................................... 2-28 Personalization Button ..................................... 3-53 Personalization, Climate Controls ...................... 3-30 Plan Ahead When Possible ................................ 7-7 Playing a CD ......................................... 3-78, 3-89 Playing a Speciﬁc Loaded CD .......................... 3-90 Playing the Radio ................................... 3-70, 3-81 Power Accessory Outlets ........................................ 3-21 Door Locks .................................................. 2-9 Electrical System ....................................... 5-113 Lumbar Controls ........................................... 1-3 Seat ............................................................ 1-2 Steering Fluid ............................................. 5-38 Windows .................................................... 2-25 Power Steering ............................................... 4-14 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................. 2-10 Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter ........... 2-59 Puddle Lamps ................................................ 3-17 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-13 11 R Radio Data System (RDS) ....................... 3-70, 3-81 Radio Messages ............................................. 3-75 Radios .......................................................... 3-68 Care of Your CD and DVD Player ................ 3-108 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-108 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-69 Radio with Six-Disc CD ................................ 3-80 Rear Seat Audio ........................................ 3-105 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-69 Theft-Deterrent .......................................... 3-106 Understanding Reception ............................ 3-108 RDS Messages ...................................... 3-74, 3-85 Reading Lamps .............................................. 3-20 Rear Axle ...................................................... 5-52 Locking ...................................................... 4-11 Rear Door Security Locks ................................ 2-12 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ...................... 1-27 Rear Seat Audio Controls ............................... 3-105 Rear Seat Audio (RSA) .................................. 3-105 Rear Seat Entertainment System ....................... 3-94 Rear Seat Operation ......................................... 1-7 Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts .................. 1-24 Rear Storage Area .......................................... 2-64 Rear Window Defogger ............................ 3-27, 3-29 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with Compass and Temperature Display ................ 2-51 12 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display ... 2-48 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-5 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-13 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-51 REDUCED ENGINE POWER ........................... 3-62 Reinstalling the Cargo Cover Panels .................. 2-71 Remote Control .............................................. 3-98 Remote Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ............. 2-5 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire .................................................. 5-89 Removing the Front/Rear Rails and Bows ................................................... 2-85 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-85 Removing the Tonneau Cover ........................... 2-82 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-62 Replacing Brake System Parts .......................... 5-44 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ..... 1-66 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government .................................. 7-11 General Motors ........................................... 7-11 United States Government ............................ 7-10 Reprogramming a Single HomeLink® Button ....... 2-62 Resetting Defaults ........................................... 2-62 Restraint System Check Checking Your Restraint Systems ................... 1-65 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ..................................................... 1-66 Restraint Systems Checking .................................................... 1-65 Replacing Parts ........................................... 1-66 Resynchronization ............................................. 2-7 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................... 2-29 Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts ...... 1-22 RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR .............................. 3-66 Roadside Assistance Program ....................................... 7-6 Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out ................... 4-49 Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....... 2-46 Safety Belt Safety Belts Reminder Light ............................................ 3-33 Care of .................................................... 5-107 Center Front Passenger Position .................... 1-22 Driver Position ............................................ 1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-14 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ..... 1-13 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults ...................................... 1-27 Rear Seat Passengers ................................. 1-24 Right Front Passenger Position ...................... 1-22 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-29 Safety Belts Are for Everyone ......................... 1-9 Safety Chains ................................................. 4-72 Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scanning the Terrain ....................................... 4-22 Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4 Seats Head Restraints ............................................ 1-7 Heated Seats ............................................... 1-4 Manual Passenger ......................................... 1-2 Memory ..................................................... 2-88 Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-3 Power Seats ................................................. 1-2 Rear Seat Operation ...................................... 1-7 Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-5 Secondary Latch System ................................ 5-100 Securing a Child Restraint Center Front Seat Position ............................ 1-45 Designed for the LATCH System ................... 1-43 Rear Seat Position ...................................... 1-43 Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-46 Security Light ................................................. 3-47 Security While You Travel .................................. 7-6 Select Button ................................................. 3-60 Service ........................................................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..................................................... 5-4 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-3 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-43 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-11 SERVICE 4WD ............................................... 3-62 SERVICE AIR BAG ......................................... 3-62 13 SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM ............................. 3-62 Service Bulletins ............................................. 7-12 Service Manuals ............................................. 7-11 SERVICE RIDE CONTROL .............................. 3-63 SERVICE STABILITY ...................................... 3-67 SERVICE TIRE MONITOR ............................... 3-68 Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only) ............... 3-74, 3-85 Setting Preset Stations ............................ 3-72, 3-82 Setting the Time ............................................. 3-69 Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) .................. 3-72, 3-83 Sheet Metal Damage ..................................... 5-110 Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-42 Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-45 Side Impact Air Bags ....................................... 1-56 Side Rail Channels ......................................... 2-78 Skidding ........................................................ 4-18 Snow Plow .................................................... 4-61 Some Other Rainy Weather Tips ....................... 4-38 Spare Tire .................................................... 5-103 Special Fabric Cleaning Problems .................... 5-105 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................... 5-122 Speedometer .................................................. 3-33 Stabilitrak® System ......................................... 4-11 STABILITY SYS ACTIVE .................................. 3-67 STABILITY SYS DISABLED .............................. 3-67 Stalling on an Incline ....................................... 4-31 Starting Your Engine ....................................... 2-30 Steering ........................................................ 4-14 Steering in Emergencies .................................. 4-15 Steering Tips .................................................. 4-14 14 Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ....................... 3-107 Stereo RCA Jacks ......................................... 3-101 Storage Areas All-Weather Cargo Area ................................ 2-75 Center Console Storage Area ........................ 2-63 Center Overhead Console ............................. 2-63 Front Armrest Storage Area ........................... 2-63 Glove Box .................................................. 2-63 Luggage Carrier .......................................... 2-63 Rear Storage Area ....................................... 2-64 Top-Box Storage .......................................... 2-80 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack and Tools ....... 5-97 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ...................... 4-48 Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-25 Sunroof ......................................................... 2-87 Tachometer .................................................... 3-33 Tailgate ......................................................... 2-22 Tailgate Removal ............................................ 2-23 Taillamps ....................................................... 5-61 Temperature and Compass Display .................... 2-49 Temperature Display ........................................ 2-52 Testing the Alarm ............................................ 2-27 Theft-Deterrent, Radio .................................... 3-106 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-26 Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ 2-26 Passlock® ................................................... 2-28 Throttle, Adjustable .......................................... 2-31 TIGHTEN FUEL CAP ...................................... 3-63 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-7 Tire Sidewall Labeling ...................................... 5-64 Tire Size ....................................................... 5-68 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions ........................ 5-69 Tires ................................................... 5-64, 5-109 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-78 Chains ....................................................... 5-82 Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-84 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-83 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................ 5-72 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-76 Pressure Monitor System .............................. 5-73 Spare Tire ................................................ 5-103 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-79 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-80 Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-80 When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-77 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-32 Tonneau Cover ............................................... 2-81 Top Drain Grates – Removal and Cleaning ......... 2-77 Top Strap ...................................................... 1-39 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................... 1-41 Top-Box Storage ............................................. 2-80 Torque Lock ................................................... 2-44 Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires .................. 4-71 Tow/Haul Mode ............................................... 2-36 Tow/Haul Mode Light ....................................... 3-47 Towing Traction Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-51 Towing a Trailer .......................................... 4-66 Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-51 Assist System (TAS) ...................................... 4-9 Off Light ..................................................... 3-40 Stabilitrak® System ...................................... 4-11 TRACTION ACTIVE ........................................ 3-66 Traction Control Operation ................................ 4-12 TRACTION SYS LIMITED ................................ 3-66 Trailer Recommendations ....................................... 4-65 Trailer Brakes ................................................. 4-72 Trailer Wiring Harness ..................................... 4-76 TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE ............................. 3-64 Transfer Case ................................................ 5-53 Transmission Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-23 Temperature Gage ....................................... 3-41 TRANSMISSION HOT ..................................... 3-64 Transmission Operation, Automatic .................... 2-33 Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual ............................................ 7-11 Transportation Options ...................................... 7-8 Traveling to Remote Areas ............................... 4-21 Trip Information Button .................................... 3-50 Truck-Camper Loading Information .................... 4-65 Turn and Lane Change Signals .......................... 3-8 15 TURN SIGNAL ON ......................................... 3-63 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-8 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer .................. 4-74 Underhood Fuse Block ................................... 5-117 Understanding Radio Reception ....................... 3-108 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-79 United States – Customer Assistance .................. 7-4 Used Replacement Wheels .............................. 5-81 Using Cleaner on Fabric ................................ 5-105 Using HomeLink® ........................................... 2-62 Using Song List Mode ..................................... 3-92 Using the Recovery Hooks ............................... 4-49 Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-5 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Loading ...................................................... 4-54 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records ..... 7-9 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ............................................ 5-112 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label .................. 5-113 Vehicle Personalization Memory Seat .............................................. 2-88 16 Vehicle Personalization (cont.) Vehicle Storage .............................................. 5-45 Vehicles with Body-Side Cladding .............. 5-55, 5-58 Vehicles with Gray Body-Side Cladding .............. 5-61 Vehicles without Body-Side Cladding ......... 5-57, 5-59 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-30 Video Screen ................................................. 3-97 Visors ........................................................... 2-25 Voltmeter Gage .............................................. 3-37 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-31 Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-60 Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6 Other Warning Devices .................................. 3-7 Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv Washing Your Vehicle .................................... 5-107 Weight of the Trailer ........................................ 4-68 Weight of the Trailer Tongue ............................. 4-70 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use ........................ 5-17 What to Add .................................................. 5-42 What to Do with Used Oil ................................ 5-20 What to Use .......................... 5-27, 5-39, 5-40, 5-52 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-80 Replacement ............................................... 5-80 When to Add Engine Oil .................................. 5-17 When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System) ................................... 5-19 When to Check .............................................. 5-72 When to Check and Change ............................ 5-23 When to Check Lubricant ................................. 5-52 When to Check Power Steering Fluid ................ 5-39 When to Inspect ............................................. 5-21 When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill ......................................................... 4-76 Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-38 Why Safety Belts Work .................................... 1-10 Windows ....................................................... 2-24 Power ........................................................ 2-25 Windshield and Wiper Blades .......................... 5-109 Windshield Washer ......................................... 3-10 Fluid .......................................................... 5-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ...................................... 5-63 Fuses ...................................................... 5-113 Windshield Wipers .......................................... 3-10 Winter Driving ................................................ 4-44 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .............. 3-109 XM™ Satellite Radio Service (48 Contiguous US States) .......... 3-70, 3-81, 3-108 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2 17 ✍ NOTES 18 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual M Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag Systems Restraint System Check Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 ............................................... 1-2 ............................................... 1-7 .............................................. 1-9 ....................................... 1-30 ...................................... 1-50 ............................ 1-65 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 ........................................................ 2-3 ....................................... 2-8 ................................................. 2-24 ............................ 2-26 ........... 2-28 .................................................... 2-48 ...................................... 2-57 ............................. 2-59 ......................................... 2-63 .................................................. 2-87 ............................. 2-88 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-4 ...................................... 3-22 ......... 3-31 .................. 3-49 ....................................... 3-68 Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Vehicle Mirrors OnStar® System HomeLink® Transmitter Storage Areas Sunroof Vehicle Personalization Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-51 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-4 Checking Things Under the Hood ................. 5-9 Rear Axle ............................................... 5-52 Four-Wheel Drive ..................................... 5-53 Front Axle ............................................... 5-54 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-55 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-63 Tires ...................................................... 5-64 Appearance Care ................................... 5-104 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ............................... 5-112 Electrical System .................................... 5-113 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-122 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1 ........... 7-2 ........................... 7-10 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Maintenance Schedule Canadian Owners You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem are registered trademarks and the name AVALANCHE is a trademark of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. For vehicles ﬁrst sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it. How to Use This Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you will ﬁnd that pictures and words work together to explain things. Index A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual, and the page number where you will ﬁnd it. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. C2418 A First Edition ii ©Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/23/03 All Rights Reserved Safety Warnings and Symbols You will ﬁnd a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt. You will also ﬁnd a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Don’t,” “Don’t do this” or “Don’t let this happen.” iii Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will ﬁnd these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice will tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. Vehicle Symbols Your vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, gage or indicator. If you need help ﬁguring out a speciﬁc name of a component, gage or indicator, reference the following topics: (cid:127) Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1 Features and Controls in Section 2 Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 (cid:127) Climate Controls in Section 3 (cid:127) Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3 (cid:127) Audio System(s) in Section 3 (cid:127) Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5 iv (cid:127) (cid:127) These are some examples of symbols you may ﬁnd on your vehicle: ✍ NOTES vi Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-2 Manual Passenger Seat ..................................1-2 Power Seats ..................................................1-2 Power Lumbar ...............................................1-3 Heated Seats .................................................1-4 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5 Head Restraints .............................................1-7 Rear Seats .......................................................1-7 Rear Seat Operation .......................................1-7 Safety Belts .....................................................1-9 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone .................1-9 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-14 Driver Position ..............................................1-14 Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-22 Center Front Passenger Position .....................1-22 Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-24 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults .......................................1-27 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-29 Child Restraints .............................................1-30 Older Children ..............................................1-30 Infants and Young Children ............................1-32 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-36 Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-38 Top Strap ....................................................1-39 Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-41 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-41 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position ...................................................1-43 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position ............................................1-45 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ............................................1-46 Air Bag Systems ............................................1-50 Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................1-53 When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate? ....................1-55 What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate? .....................1-57 How Does an Air Bag Restrain? .....................1-57 What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates? ...1-58 Passenger Sensing System ............................1-59 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle .........1-64 Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................1-64 Restraint System Check ..................................1-65 Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................1-65 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ......................................................1-66 1-1 Front Seats Manual Passenger Seat Power Seats If your vehicle has power seat(s), the controls are located on the outboard edge of the front seats. If your vehicle has a manual front passenger split bench seat, you can adjust it with this lever located at the front of the seat. Lift the lever to unlock the seat and use your body to slide the seat to where you want it. Release the lever and try to move the seat with your body to make sure that the seat is locked into place. 1-2 Horizontal Control: This control adjusts the seat cushion. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front of the seat by raising or lowering the forward edge of the control. Raise or lower the rear of the seat by raising or lowering the rear edge of the control. (cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the whole control toward the front or toward the rear of the vehicle. Lower or raise the entire seat cushion by moving the whole control up or down. Vertical Control: This control adjusts the seatback. Move the reclining front seatback rearward or forward by moving the control toward the rear or the front of the vehicle. This adjusts the angle of the seatback. For more information on the reclining seatbacks, see Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5. Your vehicle may have a memory function which allows seat settings to be saved and recalled. See Memory Seat on page 2-88 for more information. Power Lumbar If your vehicle has power lumbar adjustment, you can use it to increase or decrease lumbar support in the lower seatback. The control is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. To increase support in the lower back area, press and hold the front of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. To decrease support in the lower back area, press and hold the rear of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. 1-3 (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) You can also reshape the back wing area of the lower seatback. Heated Seats To increase support in the wing area of the lower seatback, press and hold the top of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. To decrease support in the wing area of the lower seatback, press and hold the bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. Your vehicle may have heated front seats. The buttons used to control this feature are located on the front doors. The engine must be running for the heated seat feature to work. To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button with the heated seat symbol. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium and low and to turn the heated seat off. Indicator lights will glow to designate the level of heat selected, three for high, two for medium, and one for low. 1-4 (cid:127) (cid:127) Reclining Seatbacks The low setting warms the seatback and cushion until the seat temperature is near body temperature. The medium and high settings heat the seatback and seat cushion to a slightly higher temperature. You will be able to feel heat in about two minutes. To heat only the seatback, press the vertical button with the heated seatback symbol. An indicator light on the seatback button will glow to designate that only the seatback is being heated. Additional presses of the seatback button will cycle through the heat levels for the seatback only. Press the horizontal button again to heat the whole seat. The heated front seats will shut off automatically when the ignition is turned off. To adjust the front seatback, lift the lever. The lever is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Lift the lever without pushing on the seatback and the seatback will go to an upright position. If your vehicle has power seats with a power recliner, see Power Seats on page 1-2 for further information on how to operate the reclining seatback feature. 1-5 {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. 1-6 Head Restraints Rear Seats Rear Seat Operation The rear seat is a 60/40 split rear seat that can be folded to give you more cargo space and access to the folding midgate. See Midgate on page 2-13 for more information on operation of the folding midgate. To fold either side of the seat do the following: 1. Push the rear head restraints all the way down. 2. Pull the seat loop located where the seatback and seat cushion meet. The seat cushion will release and allow you to tilt it toward the front of the vehicle. 1-7 Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. The rear seat head restraints in your vehicle are adjustable. They work the same as the front seat head restraints. {CAUTION: If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: 3. Grasp the seatback and pull it toward the front of the vehicle. Push it down until it is ﬂat. You may have to move the front seats forward slightly to do this. 4. Repeat the procedure for the other side. To return the seats to the normal position, pull the seatback up and fold the seat cushion down. A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. 1-8 Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. {CAUTION: Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too. {CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-33. 1-9 Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter... a lot! Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels. 1-10 Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop. 1-11 The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel... 1-12 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? A: You could be – whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts – not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. 1-13 or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense. Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident – even one that isn’t your fault – you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-30 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-32. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 1-14 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted. 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-15 5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash. 1-16 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection this way. 1-17 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-18 Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests. 1-19 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. 1-20 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-21 Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-14. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt—except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature which may turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag. If this happens unintentionally, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Center Front Passenger Position To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. If your vehicle has a front bench seat, someone can sit in the center position. 1-22 Lap Belt When you sit in a center front seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-23 Rear Seat Passengers It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. 1-24 2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. 1-25 {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash. 1-26 To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each passenger position in the rear seat. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: 1. Remove the guide from the storage clip on the side of the rear seatback. 1-27 2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The guide must be on top of the belt. 1-28 Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. 1-29 4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-24. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Attach the guide onto the storage clip. Child Restraints Older Children Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. If you have the choice, a child should sit in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt to get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. 1-30 Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. See Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 1-27. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one. 1-31 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. 1-32 Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-33 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. 1-34 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. 1-35 Child Restraint Systems An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. 1-36 A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 1-37 Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. 1-38 When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may ﬁnd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system or the LATCH system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors recommends that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says, ″Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.″ This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the air bag deploys. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating air bag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an air bag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. General Motors recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the air bag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat Do not use child restraints in the center front seat position. The restraints will not work properly. Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle – even when no child is in it. Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. 1-39 {CAUTION: Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. If you have an adjustable head restraint, route the top strap under it. 1-40 Top Strap Anchor Location Do not use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position, because there is no place to anchor the top strap. Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You will ﬁnd anchors (A) in the center and right side passenger second row seating positions. 60/40 Split Rear Seat Folded An anchor loop bracket for a top strap is located on the back of the rear seat frame above the ﬂoor for each rear seating position. In order to get to the brackets, you’ll have to fold the rear seatback(s). See Rear Seat Operation on page 1-7 for information on folding the rear seatbacks. 1-41 This system, designed to make installation of child restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead, it uses vehicle anchors (A, B) and child restraint attachements to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether strap (C). In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint designed for that system. To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system has a visible metal anchorage point in the seat where the seatback meets the seat cushion.

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2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Owners Manual