2010 Chevrolet Avalanche Owners Manual

Number (PIN) A PIN is needed to access some of the OnStar services, like Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. You will be prompted to change the PIN the first time when speaking with an Advisor. To change the OnStar PIN, call OnStar and provide the Advisor with the current number. Warranty OnStar equipment may be warranted as part of the new-vehicle limited warranty. The manufacturer of the vehicle furnishes detailed warranty information. Languages The vehicle can be programmed to respond in French or Spanish. Push Q and ask an Advisor. Advisors can speak French or Spanish.

OnStar

14-7

Potential Issues Some OnStar services are disabled after five days. OnStar cannot perform Remote Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle Assistance after the vehicle has been off continuously for five days. After five days, OnStar can contact Roadside Assistance and a locksmith to help gain access to the vehicle. Global Positioning System (GPS) . Obstruction of the GPS can occur in a large city with tall buildings; in parking garages; around airports; in tunnels, underpasses, or parking garages; or in an area with very dense trees. If GPS signals are not available, the OnStar system should still operate to call OnStar. However, OnStar could have difficulty identifying the exact location.

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OnStar

In emergency situations, OnStar can use the last stored GPS location to send to emergency responders.

. A temporary loss of GPS can

cause loss of the ability to send a Turn-by-Turn Navigation route. The Advisor may give a verbal route or may ask for a call back after the vehicle is driven into an open area.

Cellular and GPS Antennas Avoid placing items over or near the antenna to prevent blocking cellular and GPS signal reception. Cellular reception is required for OnStar to send remote signals to the vehicle.

Unable to Connect to OnStar Message If there is limited cellular coverage or the cellular network has reached maximum capacity, this message may come on. Push Q to try the call again or try again after driving a few miles into another cellular area. Vehicle and Power Issues OnStar services require a vehicle electrical system, wireless service, and GPS satellite technologies to be available and operating for features to function properly. These systems may not operate if the battery is discharged or disconnected.

Add-on Electrical Equipment The OnStar system is integrated into the electrical architecture of the vehicle. Do not add any electrical equipment. See Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 9‑84. Added electrical equipment may interfere with the operation of the OnStar system and cause it to not operate. Privacy The complete OnStar Privacy Statement may be found at www.onstar.com. Privacy-sensitive users of wireless communications are cautioned that the privacy of any information sent via wireless cellular communications cannot be assured. Third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions and private communications without consent.

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Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Active Fuel Management® . . . . . 9-30
Add-On Electrical

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-84

Additional Information,

OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5

Adjustable Throttle and

Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22

Adjustments

Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-16
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Airbag

Adding Equipment to the

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-34

Airbag System

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-35
How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-27

Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-27

Airbag System (cont'd)

What Will You See after an

Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28

When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . .3-24

Airbags

Passenger Status Indicator . . .5-17
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16
Servicing Airbag-Equipped

Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-34
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22

Alarm System

Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Antenna

Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-13

Anti-theft

Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Alarm System Messages . . . . .5-42

Antilock Brake

System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22

INDEX

i-1

Appearance Care

Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-99
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Assistance Program,

Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7, 13-9
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14
CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19

Audio System

Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-13
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2

Automatic

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-50
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-32
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-35
Shift Lock Control

Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31

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INDEX

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Voltage and Charging

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-35
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-47
Brake

Pedal and Adjustable

Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-22
Brake System Warning Light . . . 5-21
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-44
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-45
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-45
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35

Bulb Replacement (cont'd)

Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-39
Taillamps, Turn Signal,

Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . 10-38
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64

Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
California

Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . .9-61
Perchlorate Materials

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii Capacities and

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Carbon Monoxide

Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-31
Midgate® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13

Cargo

Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cover Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13

Cautions, Danger, and

Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-18
Check

Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Ignition

Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-34

Child Restraints

Infants and Young

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-38

Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . .3-45
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-36
Securing . . . . . . . . . . 3-51, 3-53, 3-54
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-41
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

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INDEX

i-3

Cleaning

Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-99
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-14
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Connections, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . 14-4
Continuous Damping

Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Coolant

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37

Courtesy Transportation

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13

Cover

Cargo Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4, 13-5
Text Telephone (TTY)

Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-6

Customer Information Service Publications

Door

Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . 12-3
Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26

Driving

Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-16

Characteristics and

Customer Satisfaction

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3

Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-14
Danger, Warnings, and

Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv . . . . . . . 13-19

Data Recorders, Event Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Diagnostics, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-67
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . .1-26
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . .9-12
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . .9-15
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . .9-16
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13

Dual Automatic Climate

Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

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INDEX

DVD

Rear Seat Entertainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-35
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19

E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Electrical Equipment,

Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-84

Electrical System

Engine Compartment

Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

Fuses and Circuit

Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Emergency, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine

Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Check and Service Engine

Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Compartment Overview . . . . . . .10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Coolant Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14

Engine (cont'd)

Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Cooling System Messages . . .5-37
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . .12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-31
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Overheated Protection

Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Running While Parked . . . . . . . .9-31
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-25

Engine Oil

Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-75
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-19
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-3

Fan

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25

Features

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Filter,

Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-5
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-102
Fluid

Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-13
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Four-Wheel Drive

Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . 9-37, 9-42
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26

Fog Lamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Four-Wheel

Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30, 9-37, 9-42
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31

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Front Fog Lamp

Fuses

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26

Engine Compartment

Front Seats

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-62
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . .9-63
Filling a Portable Fuel

Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-66
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-64
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . .9-62
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . .9-61
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . .5-25
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . .9-30
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-61
Requirements, California . . . . .9-61
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39

Fuel Economy

Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-26
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-86

Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

Fuses and Circuit

Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46

Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-53

Gasoline

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-61

Gauges

Engine Coolant

Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
Warning Lights and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

INDEX

i-5

General Information

Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-66
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7

Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-5
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Headlamps

Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . .5-26
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-3

Heated and Ventilated Front

Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

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INDEX

Heater

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 8-1
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Ignition Transmission Lock

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Infants and Young Children,

Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-40
Keyless Entry

Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-50
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Lamps

Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-3
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off

Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . .5-19
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
LATCH System

Replacing Parts after a

Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-51

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86

LATCH, Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-45

Level Control

Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-50

Light

StabiliTrak® OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23

Lighting

Entry/Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Lights

Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16
Antilock Brake System

(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22
Brake System Warning . . . . . . .5-21
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-18
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-3
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . .5-15
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
Traction Control System

(TCS)/StabiliTrak® . . . . . . . . . .5-23

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INDEX

i-7

Mirrors

Automatic Dimming

Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-20
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-21
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-20

Monitor System, Tire

Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58

Navigation

Vehicle Data Recording

and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
Navigation, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-22

Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Locks

Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-45
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Maintenance

Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15

Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids

and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . 9-37, 9-42
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-19
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Messages

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-42
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . .5-42
Battery Voltage and

Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . .5-37
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-40
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-40
Object Detection System . . . . .5-40
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . .5-40
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-42
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-43
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-44
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-44
Midgate® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012

Black plate (8,1)

i-8

INDEX

Object Detection System

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5

Oil

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . .10-11
Engine Oil Pressure

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-36
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
OnStar®

Additional Information . . . . . . . .14-5
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-4
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-5
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-1
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
OnStar® System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

Operation, Infotainment

Perchlorate Materials

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3

Ordering

Personalization

Service Publications . . . . . . . . 13-16

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-45

Outlets

Phone

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-47

Overheated Engine

Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overview, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1

Park

Shifting into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Shifting out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-29
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Parking

Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-54
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-45
Brake and P (Park)

Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-34
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . .9-30

Passenger Airbag Status

Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-29

Power

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-20
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . .9-28
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-24
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Pregnancy, Using Safety

Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19

Privacy

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-20

Program

Courtesy Transportation . . . . 13-13

Proposition 65 Warning,

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012

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INDEX

i-9

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-20
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20

Radios

AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-13
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-49

Rear Seat Audio (RSA)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45

Rear Seat Entertainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-35
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) . . . . . . .7-45
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-56
Rearview Mirror

Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . .2-22
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Recommended

Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-61

Recommended Fluids and

Restraints

Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12

Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-43

Records

Retained Accessory

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15

Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28

Recreational Vehicle

Ride Control Systems

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-40

Reimbursement Program,

Roads

GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7

Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11

Remote Keyless Entry

(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2, 2-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Replacement

Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Replacement Parts

Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-36
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-14
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-36
Replacing LATCH System

Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51

Replacing Safety Belt

System Parts after a Crash . . . 3-21

Reporting Safety Defects

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-18
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7, 13-9

Roof

Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-25
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-3
Running the Vehicle While

Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-21
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14

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Black plate (10,1)

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INDEX

Safety Belts (cont'd)

Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . .3-21
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . .3-19

Safety Defects Reporting

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-18
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-12
Seats

Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . 3-9
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-4
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Secondary Latch System . . . . . 10-83
Securing Child

Restraints . . . . . . . . 3-51, 3-53, 3-54

Security

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Security, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Service

Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . .10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-15
Maintenance, General

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
. . . . .12-1

Parts Identification Label Publications Ordering

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Scheduling Appointments . . . 13-12
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Shift Lock Control Function

Check, Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33

Shifting

Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-29

Sidemarker

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

Signals, Turn and

Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Specifications and

Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
StabiliTrak

OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-46
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Steps

Power Assist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16

Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

Storage Areas

Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012

Black plate (11,1)

Storage Areas (cont'd)

Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv System

Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13

Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Taillamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-18
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tires

Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72

Tires (cont'd)

Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-59
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-42
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-58
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-83
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Terminology and

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53

Uniform Tire Quality

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66

Wheel Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-68
When It Is Time for New

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

INDEX

i-11

Towing

Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . .9-67
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-75
General Information . . . . . . . . . .9-66
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-91
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-71
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . .9-83
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91

Traction

Control System (TCS)/

StabiliTrak® Light . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23

Trailer

Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . .9-83
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37, 9-42
Transmission

Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-32
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-43

Transportation Program,

Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012

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INDEX

Truck-Camper Loading

Vehicle (cont'd)

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21

Turn and Lane-Change

Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91

Turn Signal

Vehicle Care

Wheels

Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56

When It Is Time for New

Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . . . 9-54
Uniform Tire Quality

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Universal Remote System . . . . . 5-53
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-58
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-53
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Vehicle

Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Identification

Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-16
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-45
Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . .5-44

Vehicle Identification

Service Parts Identification

Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
. . . . 3-43
Where to Put the Restraint Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-24

Windshield

Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Winter

Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 10-35

Warning

Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . .5-21

Warning Lights, Gauges,

and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . .iv Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . . . 5-44

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2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual M

In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Performance and

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

Keys, Doors, and

Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25

Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Luggage/Load Locations . . . . . . . 4-2
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-6
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-45
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-53

Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-35
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-47
Trademarks and License

Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-54

Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10

Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-22
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-32
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-46
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-54
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-84

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2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual M

Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96

Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application

Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8

Additional Maintenance

and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9

Recommended Fluids,

Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15

Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-17
Vehicle Data Recording and

Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19

OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

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Please refer to the purchase documentation relating to your specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found on your vehicle. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual. Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Introduction

iii

Canadian Vehicle Owners

Propriétaires Canadiens A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à l'adresse suivante: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française www.helminc.com

The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle model names, and vehicle body designs appearing in this manual including, but not limited to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, AVALANCHE, and Z71 are trademarks and/or service marks of General Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors. This manual describes features that may or may not be on your specific vehicle either because they are options that you did not purchase or due to changes subsequent to the printing of this owner manual.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 20902915 A First Printing

©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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iv

Introduction

Using this Manual To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found.

Danger, Warnings, and Cautions Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or reduce them. Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk which will result in serious injury or death. Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result in injury or death.

{ WARNING

These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.

Notice: This means there is something that could result in property or vehicle damage. This would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.

A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means “Do Not,” “Do not do this,” or “Do not let this happen.”

Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gauge, or indicator. M : This symbol is shown when you need to see your owner manual for additional instructions or information. * : This symbol is shown when you need to see a service manual for additional instructions or information.

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Vehicle Symbol Chart Here are some additional symbols that may be found on the vehicle and what they mean. For more information on the symbol, refer to the Index. 0 : Adjustable Pedals 9 : Airbag Readiness Light # : Air Conditioning ! : Antilock Brake System (ABS) % : Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar® $ : Brake System Warning Light

" : Charging System I : Cruise Control B : Engine Coolant Temperature O : Exterior Lamps # : Fog Lamps . : Fuel Gauge + : Fuses 3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer ( : Heated Steering Wheel j : LATCH System Child Restraints

Introduction

* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp : : Oil Pressure g : Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors } : Power / : Remote Vehicle Start > : Safety Belt Reminders 7 : Tire Pressure Monitor _ : Tow/Haul Mode d : Traction Control/StabiliTrak® M : Windshield Washer Fluid

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vi

Introduction

2 NOTES

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In Brief

1-1

In Brief

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Initial Drive Information

Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Midgate® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Heated and Ventilated

Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Head Restraint

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Steering Wheel

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Throttle and Brake Pedal

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-15
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Vehicle Features

Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-21
Bluetooth® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Rear Vision

Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Universal Remote System . . . 1-24
Performance and Maintenance StabiliTrak® System . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-25
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-25
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-26
Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

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1-2

In Brief

Instrument Panel

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A. Air Vents on page 8‑10. B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.

See Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑5. Windshield Wiper/Washer on page 5‑5. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑11.

C.

D. Hazard Warning Flashers on

page 6‑5 (Out of View).

E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission on page 9‑32.

F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑36

(If Equipped).

G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑26. H. AM-FM Radio on page 7‑8. I. Exterior Lamp Controls on page 6‑1.

J. Dome Lamp Override. See Dome Lamps on page 6‑7. Instrument Panel Illumination Control on page 6‑7. Fog Lamps on page 6‑6
(If Equipped).

K. Automatic Transfer Case

Control (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic Transfer Case) on page 9‑37 or Four-Wheel Drive (Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case) on page 9‑42.

L. Data Link Connector (DLC)

(Out of View). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑19. M. Cruise Control on page 9‑51. N. Steering Wheel Adjustment on

page 5‑2.

O. Horn on page 5‑5.

In Brief

1-3

P. Steering Wheel Controls on

page 5‑3.

Q. Climate Control Systems on

page 8‑1 (If Equipped). Dual Automatic Climate Control System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped).

R. Power Outlets on page 5‑9. S. StabiliTrak® System on

page 9‑46. Pedal Adjust Control (If Equipped). See Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 9‑22. Ultrasonic Parking Assist on page 9‑54 (If Equipped). Power Assist Steps on page 2‑16 (If Equipped). T. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

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1-4

In Brief

Initial Drive Information This section provides a brief overview about some of the important features that may or may not be on your specific vehicle. For more detailed information, refer to each of the features which can be found later in this owner manual.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System The RKE transmitter is used to remotely lock and unlock the doors from up to 60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.

Q : Press to lock all doors. Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized. See Vehicle Personalization (With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑45. L : Press and release to locate the vehicle. Press L and hold for more than two seconds to sound the panic alarm. Press L again to cancel the panic alarm. See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3.

K : Press to unlock the driver door. Press K again within three seconds to unlock all remaining doors.

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Canceling a Remote Start To cancel a remote start: . Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press and hold / until the parking lamps turn off. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. Turn the ignition on and then back off.

See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑5.

Remote Vehicle Start With this feature the engine can be started from outside of the vehicle. Starting the Vehicle 1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the

vehicle.

2. Press and release Q. 3.

Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold / until the turn signal lamps flash.

When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on and remain on as long as the engine is running. The doors will be locked and the climate control system may come on. The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote start can be extended only once.

In Brief

1-5

Door Locks There are several ways to lock and unlock the vehicle. From outside, use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or the key in the driver door. From inside, use the power door locks or the manual door locks. To lock or unlock the door with the manual locks, push down or pull up on the manual lock knob. Power Door Locks If available, the switches are on the front doors. K : Press to unlock the doors. Q : Press to lock the doors. See Door Locks on page 2‑7.

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1-6

In Brief

Midgate® This vehicle is equipped with a Midgate and a removable rear glass panel. The Midgate allows you to extend the length of the vehicle's cargo area. For more information see Midgate® on page 2‑9.

Tailgate Use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or power door lock switch to lock and unlock the tailgate. Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while pulling the tailgate toward you. To close the tailgate, push it firmly upward until it latches. Push and pull on the tailgate to be sure it is latched securely.

Tailgate Removal The tailgate is not to be removed. Removing the tailgate may cause damage to the electrical connector resulting in a loss of lock/unlock and rear vision camera function. See Tailgate on page 2‑16.

Windows

The driver door also has switches that control the front passenger and rear windows. The power windows work when the ignition is in ON/ RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in Retained Accessory Power (RAP). See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑28. Press the switch to lower the window. Pull the switch up to raise it. For more information, see: . Windows on page 2‑23. . Power Windows on page 2‑24.

The power window controls are located on each of the side doors.

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Seat Adjustment

Manual Seats

Power Seats

In Brief

1-7

See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑4 for more information. Lumbar Adjustment

Manual Lumbar

To adjust the seat: 1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.

3. Try to move the seat back and

forth to be sure the seat is locked in place.

See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3
for more information.

To adjust a power seat, if equipped: . Move the seat forward or

rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward. If available, raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the control up or down. If available, raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down.

If equipped, increase or decrease manual lumbar support by turning the knob forward or rearward. See Lumbar Adjustment on page 3‑4 for more information.

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1-8

In Brief

Power Lumbar

To adjust the power lumbar support, if equipped: . On vehicles with two-way

lumbar, press and hold the top or bottom of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support.

Reclining Seatbacks

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

. On vehicles with four-way

lumbar, press and hold the front or rear of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support. To raise or lower the height of the support, press and hold the top or bottom of the control. See Lumbar Adjustment on page 3‑4 for more information.

To recline a manual seatback: 1. Lift the lever. 2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked.

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Power Reclining Seatbacks

Memory Features

In Brief

1-9

To return the seatback to the upright position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position.

2. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked.

See Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑5 for more information.

To adjust a power seatback, if equipped:

Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline. Tilt the top of the control forward to raise.

See Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑5 for more information.

On vehicles with the memory feature, the controls on the driver door are used to program and recall memory settings for the driver seat, outside mirrors, and the adjustable throttle and brake pedals, if equipped.

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1-10

In Brief

Storing Memory Positions To save into memory: 1. Adjust the driver seat and

seatback recliner, both outside mirrors, and the throttle and brake pedals, if equipped. See Power Mirrors on page 2‑20
and Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 9‑22 for more information. Not all mirrors and adjustable throttle and brake pedals will have the ability to save and recall their positions.

2. Press and hold “1” until

two beeps sound.

3. Repeat for a second driver

position using “2.”

To recall, press and release “1” or “2.” The vehicle must be in P (Park). A single beep will sound. The seat, outside mirrors, and adjustable throttle and brake pedals, if equipped, will move to the position previously stored for the identified driver. See Memory Seats on page 3‑7 and Vehicle Personalization (With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑45 for more information.

Easy Exit Driver Seat This feature can move the seat rearward to allow extra room to exit the vehicle. B : Press to recall the easy exit seat position. The vehicle must be in P (Park). See Memory Seats on page 3‑7 and Vehicle Personalization (With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑45 for more information.

Second Row Seats The rear seatbacks can be folded to provide more cargo space and access to the midgate. For detailed instructions see Rear Seats on page 3‑10.

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Heated and Ventilated Seats

Heated and Cooled Seat Buttons

Shown, Heated Seat Buttons

Similar

If available, press to cool

If available, the buttons are on the front doors. H : the seat. I : Press to heat the seatback only. J : Press to heat the seat and seatback.

Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the seat will change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The lights indicate three for the highest setting and one for the lowest. See Heated and Ventilated Front Seats on page 3‑9.

Head Restraint Adjustment Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants are installed and adjusted properly. To achieve a comfortable seating position, change the seatback recline angle as little as necessary while keeping the seat and the head restraint height in the proper position. For more information see Head Restraints on page 3‑2 and Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3.

In Brief

1-11

Safety Belts

Refer to the following sections for important information on how to use safety belts properly. . Safety Belts on page 3‑12. . How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly on page 3‑13. Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑14. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑45.

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1-12

In Brief

Passenger Sensing System The passenger sensing system, if equipped, turns off the front outboard passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. No other airbag is affected by the passenger sensing system. If the vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in the following illustrations, then the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position. The passenger airbag status indicator, if equipped, will be visible on the overhead console when the vehicle is started.

United States

Canada and Mexico

See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑29 for important information.

Mirror Adjustment

Exterior Mirrors

Vehicles with outside power mirrors and foldaway mirrors have controls on the driver door. 1. Press (A) or (B) to select the

driver or passenger side mirror.

2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to adjust the mirror.

3. Press either (A) or (B) again to

deselect the mirror.

See Power Mirrors on page 2‑20.

Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012

Black plate (13,1)

Power Foldaway Mirrors To fold the mirrors: 1. Press (C) to fold the mirrors out

to the driving position.

2. Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to

the folded position.