service indicator CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2007 2.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and
ash the hazard warning ashers when the airbags
inate. You can lock the doors again, turn the
interior lamps off, and turn off the hazard warning
ashers by using the controls for those features.
In many crashes severe enough to inate the
airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle
deformation. Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once.
After an airbag inates, you will need some new
parts for your airbag system. If you do not get
them, the airbag system will not be there to help
protect you in another crash. A new system
will include airbag modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for your vehicle
covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information
after a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection
and Event Data Recorders on page 594.
Let only qualied technicians work on the
airbag system. Improper service can mean
that an airbag system will not work properly.
See your dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
The passenger airbag status indicator on the
overhead console will be visible when you turn
your ignition key to RUN or START.
The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on
and off, will be visible 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 Airbag Status Indicator on page 243.
United StatesCanada
81

You can choose among ve driving settings:
Indicator lights in the switches show you which
setting you are in. The indicator lights will come on
briey when you turn on the ignition and the last
chosen setting will stay on. If the lights do not come
on, you should take your vehicle in for service. An
indicator light will ash while shifting. Fast ashing
means the conditions were not met to make the
desired shift, typically the vehicle was going too
fast, the automatic transmission was not in neutral.
or the clutch pedal was not fully pressed. Slow
ashing means the shift is in progress. It will stay on
when the shift is completed. If for some reason the
transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will
return to the last chosen setting.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive 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.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This
setting is ideal for use when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When driving your
vehicle in AUTO, the front axle is engaged,but the vehicle’s power is primarily sent to the
rear wheels. When the vehicle’s software
determines a need for more traction, the system
will transfer more power to the front wheels.
Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel
economy than Two-Wheel Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive 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 Drive 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 Drive 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. SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 359for more information.
133

{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 138.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 408or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 408for more
information.
If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE message stays
on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer
for service. See “SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
message” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 267.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive High or
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel High or
AUTO position. This can be done at any speed,
except when shifting from Four-Wheel Drive
Low. The indicator light will ash while shifting.
It will remain on when the shift is completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel Drive Low.
See shifting out of Four-Wheel Drive Low later
in this section for more information.
134

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in
a crash, or they could even inate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays
on after you start your vehicle.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your overhead console has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol, to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
United StatesCanada
243

If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together,
it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 242.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with the
generator, the generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will also display the SERVICE
BATTERY NOT CHARGING SYSTEM message.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 267
for more information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light
on, be certain to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner, to reduce
the drain on your battery.
245

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on when
you start your engine
and may stay on for
several seconds.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. A chime
will sound when the light stays on. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have ABS.If the regular brake system warning light is
also on you do not have ABS and there is a
problem with your regular brakes. In addition to
both lights, you will also hear a chime sound
on the rst occurrence of a problem and each
time the vehicle is shut off and then restarted.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 246.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on
briey when the
engine is started.
248

If the warning light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem. If it stays on, or comes on when
you are driving, there may be a problem with your
StabiliTrak
®system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system
is off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
This light will also ash when the StabiliTrak
®
system is active.
If the StabiliTrak
®system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 359for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your
vehicle is working. During a majority of the
operation, the gage will read 210°F (100°C) or
less. If you are pulling a load or going up hills,
it is normal for the temperature to uctuate
and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond
its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 460.
United StatesCanada
249

Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more
of your tires are signicantly underinated.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information
Center (DIC), a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
DIC message will accompany the light. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 267for
more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe
to do so. If underinated, inate to the proper
pressure. SeeTires on page 492for more
information.This light will ash for 60 seconds and then
turn on solid if a problem is detected with the
Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 501
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has
a computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a
cleaner environment. The check engine light comes
on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent.
250

Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet
ASTM specication D 4814 in the United States
or CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines
may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). General Motors recommends
against the use of gasolines containing MMT.
SeeAdditives on page 437for additional
information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control label.
If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, your vehicle will
operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 250. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the
type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
436

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your
fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Also, your dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not
be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer for service.
437