light CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
For information on StabiliTrak
®, seeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-9.
Use these buttons to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
You can choose among four driving settings:
AUTO 4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This
setting is ideal for use when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s
power is sent only to the rear wheels. When the
vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will
automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than
Two-Wheel High.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations. Your front
axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting
also provides the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use the four-wheel high
position when you need extra traction, such as on snowy
or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting
also engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle.
This is the best setting to use when plowing snow.4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages
your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose Four Wheel-Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills.
StabiliTrak
®will not engage in this mode. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-9for more information.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-57orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-56for more information.
2-36

Indicator lights in the button show which setting you are
in. The indicator lights will come on briey when you
turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take your vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light will ash while
shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated when
the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer
case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should
take your vehicle to your dealer for service. See “Service
4WD message” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-53.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel High or AUTO
4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Press and release the Four-Wheel High or AUTO 4WD
button. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel Low, and the indicator light will
ash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel High
Press and release the Two-Wheel High button. This can
be done at any speed, except when shifting from
Four-Wheel Low.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Low
To shift to the Four-Wheel Low position, the ignition
must be in RUN and the vehicle must be stopped
or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for
shifting into four-wheel low is to have your vehicle
moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release
the Four-Wheel Low button. You must wait for the
four-wheel low indicator light to stop ashing and remain
on before shifting your transmission in gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from
NEUTRAL with the engine running.
If the Four-Wheel Low button is pressed when your
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel Low
indicator light will ash for 30 seconds and not complete
the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than
3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL (N).
After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to
Four-Wheel High mode.
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Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Low
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Four-Wheel High,
AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High, your vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the ignition in
RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of
Four-Wheel Low is to have your vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the
Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High
button. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High, AUTO
4WD or Two-Wheel High indicator light to stop
ashing and remain on before shifting your transmission
into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from
NEUTRAL with the engine running.If the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High
switch is pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or
moving, the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or
Two-Wheel High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds
but will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission
is in NEUTRAL (N).
Shifting into NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the Two-Wheel High
and Four-Wheel Low buttons for 10 seconds. The
NEUTRAL light will come on when the transfer case
shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
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7. If the engine is running, verify that the transmission
is in NEUTRAL (N) by shifting the transmission to
REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the
transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY, which will turn
the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel High, AUTO
4WD, or Four-Wheel Low).
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the NEUTRAL light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake.Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to
enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the
transfer case from possible damage and will only allow
the transfer case to respond to one shift per
10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for
up to three minutes.
2-39

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light will ash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least
three seconds.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-62.
2-40

Mirror Operation
When turned on, this mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from any headlamps
behind you after dark.
O(On/Off): This is the on/off button for the automatic
dimming feature and compass. Press the far left button,
located below the mirror face, for up to three seconds
to turn the feature on and off. A light on the mirror will be
lit while the feature is turned on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on
or off.
There is a compass display in the window in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass displays
a maximum of two characters. For example, “NE”
is displayed for north-east.
Compass Calibration
Press and hold the on/off button down for nine seconds
to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will
be displayed in the compass window on the mirror.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, such as during a
long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to
adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to
account for compass variance, your compass could give
false readings.
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To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the map.
2. Press and hold the on/off button for six seconds.
Release the button when ZONE is displayed. The
number shown is the current zone number.3. Scroll through the zone numbers that appear in the
compass/temperature window on the mirror by
pressing the on/off button. Once you nd your zone
number, release the button. After about four
seconds, the mirror will return to the compass
display, and the new zone number will be set.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, the
automatic dimming mirror dims to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror has a dual display in the upper right corner
of the mirror face that shows the compass reading
and the outside temperature.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system, if equipped, are
at the bottom of the mirror. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-57for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-47

Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, briey to
turn the compass/temperature display on or off.
If the display reads CAL, the compass needs to be
calibrated. For more information, see “Compass
Calibration” following.
To adjust between Fahrenheit and Celsius, do the
following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button for approximately
four seconds until either a ashing F or C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After approximately
four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked
in and the compass/temperature display will return.
If an abnormal temperature reading is displayed for an
extended period of time, please see your GM dealer.
Under certain circumstances, a delay in updating
the temperature is normal.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the left
of the on/off button, is lit. If it is not, press and hold
the on/off button for approximately six seconds until
the green light comes on, indicating that the mirror is
in automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function by
pressing and holding the on/off button for
approximately six seconds, until the green indicator
light turns off.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is
outside of zone eight. Under certain circumstances, as
during a long distance cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust for compass variance. Compass
variance is the difference between earth’s magnetic
north and true geographic north. If not adjusted
to account for compass variance, the compass could
give false readings.
2-48

Passenger Airbag Indicator
The vehicle may be equipped with a passenger airbag
indicator, on the mirror glass, just above the buttons.
For more information, seePassenger Sensing System
on page 1-63andPassenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 3-35.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass.
Mirror Operation
When turned on, this mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from any headlamps
behind you after dark.
O(On/Off): This is the on/off button for the automatic
dimming feature and compass. Press the far left button,
located below the mirror face, for up to three seconds
to turn the feature on and off. A light on the mirror will be
lit while the feature is turned on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
There is a compass display in the window in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass displays
a maximum of two characters. For example, “NE”
is displayed for north-east.
Compass Calibration
Press and hold the on/off button down for nine seconds
to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will
be displayed in the compass window on the mirror.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
2-50

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass and Temperature
Display
Your vehicle may be equipped with this feature. When on,
an automatic dimming mirror will dim to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper right
corner of the mirror with the compass reading and the
outside temperature. The display can be turned on or off
by briey pressing either the TEMP or the COMP button.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the
TEMP button. Pressing the TEMP button once briey,
will toggle the temperature reading on and off. To
alternate the temperature reading between Fahrenheit
and Celsius, press and hold the TEMP button for
approximately four seconds until the display blinks F
and C. Press and release the TEMP button to toggle
between the Fahrenheit and Celsius readings. After
approximately four seconds of inactivity, the display will
stop blinking and display the last selection made.
Press and release the TEMP button to toggle the
temperature display between Fahrenheit or Celsius.
If an abnormal reading is displayed, please consult your
GM dealer.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Press and hold the TEMP button for approximately
eight seconds to turn the automatic dimming feature on
or off. The indicator light to the left of the TEMP
button will turn on or off to indicate when the feature is
on. Once the mirror is turned off, it will remain off
until it is turned back on, or until the vehicle is restarted.
Compass Operation
Press the COMP button once briey to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition is started and the compass feature is
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
approximately two seconds. After two seconds,
the mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
If CAL is displayed while driving in the vehicle.
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading, N for North, for
example, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
2-52