air condition CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2002 1.G Owners Manual

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Your Driving and the Road
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Off-Road Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio ClockRadio/CD Player
Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road
iii
Section
5
Section
4
Section
3

1-27
When should an air bag inflate?
The driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near
-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system's designed
ªthreshold level.º
If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't move
or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 16 mph
(14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however,
with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range.
If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be
higher. The driver's and right front passenger's frontal
air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation
would not help the occupant.
The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag
will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not designed to inflate in
frontal or near
-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.
A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the
vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and near
-frontal impacts. For side impact air
bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity
of the impact.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off
-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See ªOff
-Road
Drivingº in the Index for more tips on off
-road driving.

1-31
Q:What if I add a snow plow? Will it keep the
air bags from working properly?
A:We've designed our air bag systems to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But don't change or defeat the snow
plow's ªtripping mechanism.º If you do, it can
damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it
may cause an air bag inflation.
Center Passenger Position
Lap Belt
If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone
can sit in the center positions.
When you sit in a center seating position, you have a
lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt
longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

2-103
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Voltmeter
United States Canada
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in
RUN, this gage shows your battery's state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.

2-111
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

2-116
Message Center
The message center is located on the left side of the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on,
the entire center lights up for just a few seconds.
As needed, the message center will display one of
the following messages. The message center is capable
of alternating among different messages if needed.
Battery
If this message is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this message displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and the air conditioner.

2-119
Low Coolant
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
is low on coolant.
The engine may overheat. See ªEngine Coolantº in the
Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
Check Coolant Temp
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets hot.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. See ªEngine Coolantº and ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for further information.
Engine Overheated
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot.
This message will be displayed after the air conditioning
system has automatically turned off for the engine
coolant protection mode. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index for further information.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-4 Electronic Climate Control System
(If Equipped)
3
-8 Air Conditioning
3
-9 Heating
3
-9 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-9 Rear Window Defogger
3
-10 Ventilation System
3
-12 Audio Systems
3
-12 Setting the Clock3
-12 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control
3
-17 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-20 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-20 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-21 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-21 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-21 Fixed Mast Antenna

3-2
Comfort Controls
Heater and Air Conditioning
Comfort Controls
Fan Knob
(Fan): The knob on the left side of the control panel
adjusts the fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob
clockwise. To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise.
To turn the fan off, turn the knob to OFF.Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area.
Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for warmer
air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the blue area
for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
(Vent): This setting directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets and the center floor console
(if equipped).
(Bi-Level): Air is delivered through the
instrument panel outlets and center floor console outlets
(if equipped) as well as the floor outlets. The air flow
can be divided between vent and floor depending upon
where the knob is placed between the settings. Pressing
the A/C button while in this mode causes cooler air to
come out of the instrument panel outlets and center floor
console outlets (if equipped) and warmer air to come out
of the floor outlets.

3-3
(Floor): This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the floor outlets and center floor
console outlets (if equipped), as well as some air
through the windshield defroster outlets and side
window defroster outlets. If air from the center floor
console outlets is not desired, turn the vents off at the
console. Recirculation will not be available in this mode.
See ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Blend): Airflow is delivered through the floor
outlets, center floor console outlets (if equipped), the
windshield defroster outlets and the side window defroster
outlets. The air flow can be divided between floor and
defrost depending upon where the knob is placed between
the settings. The air conditioning compressor may run
to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode. See
ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets with airflow
also delivered from the side window and the floor
outlets. When in defrost mode, the air conditioning
compressor may run to assist in dehumidifying the
air and limit window fogging. Recirculation will not be
available in this mode. See ªRecirculationº following
for more information.
(Outside Air): This setting should be used for
normal system operation and directs the system to use
outside air. This button is located under the fan knob.
Using outside air will limit stale air odors and help to
prevent excessively humid interior air (from wet boots
or clothing or maximum passenger loads) from being
redirected onto windows.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): This setting limits the amount
of outside air entering the vehicle to a very small
amount. This button is located under the fan knob. This
will be helpful to limit odors entering the vehicle and
will assist in reaching comfort in very high
temperatures. Pressing recirculation will cause the
system to recirculate interior air continuously and may
cause the vehicle windows to fog if the passenger
compartment floor is excessively wet.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel outside air
operation. To return to normal system operation and to
prevent stale passenger compartment air, be sure to
return to the outside air position.