key CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-67
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-25
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-27
Mirrors
....................................................2-46
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-53
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-55
Storage Areas
.........................................2-59
Sunroof
..................................................2-84
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-85
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-46
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-64Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-48
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-50
Front Axle
...............................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-60
Tires
......................................................5-61
Appearance Care
.....................................5-88
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-96
Electrical System
......................................5-96
Capacities and Speci®cations
...................5-106
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-108
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner ManualM

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it's more
likely that the fetus won't be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Right Front Passenger Position
To learn how to wear the right front passenger's safety
belt properly, seeDriver Position on page 1-16.
The right front passenger's safety belt works the same
way as the driver's safety beltÐexcept 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 Passenger Position
If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone
can sit in the center positions.
When you sit in the center rear seat position, you have
a lap-shoulder blet which works the same way as
the rear outside seat positions. To learn how to wear
this belt see ªLap-Shoulder Beltº under
Rear Seat
Passengers on page 1-26.
1-24

8. If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system
and you're using a rear-facing child restraint in this
seat, check to be sure the right front passenger's
frontal air bag is off before you begin to drive. If the
air bag has been turned off the off indicator will
light and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or
START.
If the on indicator is lit, the passenger's frontal air
bag has not been turned off. If this ever happens,
turn the vehicle off, unbuckle the safety belt
and perform the steps to install the rear-facing
restraint again. After restarting the vehicle, if the air
bag still doesn't turn off, install the infant restraint
in a rear seat position of the vehicle and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety
belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an
adult or larger child passenger.Air Bag Systems
This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag
systems.
Your vehicle has air bags ± a frontal air bag for the
driver and another frontal air bag for the right front
passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact
air bag. Side impact air bags are available for the driver
and right front passenger.
If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver
and/or the right front passenger, the words AIR BAG will
appear on the air bag covering on the side of the
seatback closest to the door.
1-52

Passenger Sensing System
If your rearview mirror has one of the indicators pictured
in the following illustrations, your vehicle has a
passenger sensing system. The indicator will be visible
when you turn your ignition key to START or RUN.
The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible on the rearview mirror during the system
check. When the system check is complete, either
the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or
the symbol for off will be visible. See
Passenger Air
Bag Status Indicator on page 3-34. If your rearview
mirror doesn't have either of the indicators pictured, then
your vehicle doesn't have the passenger sensing
system.The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger's frontal air bag under certain
conditions. The driver's air bag and the side air bags
are not part of the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front passenger's seat and safety belt.
The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a
properly-seated occupant and determine if the
passenger's frontal air bag should be enabled (may
in¯ate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, 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. Never put a child in rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger seat unless your Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator ± United States
Passenger Air Bag
Status Indicator
± Canada
1-62

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There air bag system parts in several places around
your vehicle. You don't want the system to in¯ate while
someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer
and the service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the air bag system. To purchase a
service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-11.
{CAUTION:
For up to 1 minute after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in¯ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in¯ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali®ed to do so.
Air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the air
bags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle's
frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet
metal or height, they may keep the air bag system
from working properly. Also, the air bag system
may not work properly if you relocate any of the air
bag sensors. If you have any questions about
this, you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance
are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. See
Customer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2
.
1-66

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Delayed Locking.............................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Midgate.......................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-21
Windows........................................................2-23
Power Windows............................................2-24
Sun Visors...................................................2-24
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-25
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-25
Passlock
ž....................................................2-26
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-27
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-27
Ignition Positions..........................................2-27
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-28
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-29Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-30
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-31
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-34
Parking Brake..............................................2-39
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-40
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-42
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-43
Engine Exhaust............................................2-44
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-44
Mirrors...........................................................2-46
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-46
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-46
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display..............2-48
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors.........................2-51
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-52
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist..............................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Don't leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
2-3

Your vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition, all door locks,
tailgate and side storage
boxes.
If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining replacements.
In an emergency contact roadside assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for more
information.
If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, you may be
able to have your doors unlocked automatically with the
OnStar
žsystem if you have an active OnStarž
subscription. For more information seeOnStaržSystem
on page 2-53.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
·Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
·Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
2-4

·Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See ªBattery Replacementº under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
·If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali®ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
You can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet
(1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m) away using the remote
keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
K(Unlock):Pressing this
button once will unlock the
driver's door. The interior
lamps will come on.
Pressing unlock again
within three seconds will
cause the remaining doors
to unlock.You can choose different feedback options for each
press of the unlock button, such as having the vehicle's
perimeter lamps come on and/or having the horn
chirp. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-46for
more information.
Q(Lock):Pressing this button once will lock all of the
doors. Pressing the button again within three seconds
may cause the horn to chirp for lock con®rmation.
You can choose different feedback options for each
press of the lock button, such as having the vehicle's
perimeter lamps ¯ash and/or having the horn chirp. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-46for more
information.
L(Panic):When this button is pressed, the horn will
sound and the headlamps and taillamps will ¯ash for
up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing the
button again, or by waiting for 30 seconds, or by
starting the vehicle.
2-5

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter,
do the following:
1. Insert a thin object, such as a coin, in the slot
between the covers of the transmitter housing
near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom
by twisting the coin.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a
three-volt CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+)
side up.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter.
2-6