service indicator CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2002 1.G Owners Manual

2-37
4HI: Use 4HI 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.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep sand, deep mud,
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
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. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.
NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle's transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.
See ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº or ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information.
Indicator lights in the switches show which setting your
transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on
briefly 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
flash while the transfer case is being shifted. 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 ªService 4WDº in the Index for further information.

2-57
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, this button includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a qualified service
center to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located
on the center of the
instrument panel near
the comfort controls.
When the button wiring is connected to an auxiliary
roof
-mounted lamp, pressing the button will activate
the lamp and illuminate an indicator light near the
button. Pressing the button again will turn off the
roof mounted lamp.
If your vehicle has this button, your vehicle may have
the snow plow prep package. For further information
see ªSnow Plow Prep Packageº in the Index.
Cargo Lamps
You can use the cargo lamps if you need more light in the
cargo area of your vehicle or in the top
-box storage units.
Press this button, located
on the instrument panel to
turn the cargo lamps on.
Press the button again to
turn it off.
A message in the message
center will come on and
display CARGO LAMP ON
when the cargo lamp is
turned on and the ignition
key is turned to RUN.

2-110
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light in the United
States or Check Engine Light in Canada)
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with 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 SERVICE ENGINE SOON or 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.
This may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission
controls and may cause the SERVICE ENGINE
SOON or CHECK ENGINE light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
This may also result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

6-5
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 authorized
GM dealer for service.
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.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage wouldn't be covered under your
warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.

6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter assembly has an air filter
restriction indicator that lets you know when the engine
air cleaner/filter is dirty and needs to be serviced.
The air filter restriction indicator is located on the air filter
assembly cover. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in
the Index for more information on location.
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº in the Index to determine
when to check the air filter restriction indicator.
The service window (A)
with the percentage scale
shows the amount of engine
air cleaner/filter life used.
When both service window (A) and service window (B)
turn orange, replace the engine air cleaner/filter.After changing the engine air cleaner/filter, press the button
on top of the air filter restriction indicator to reset it.
Your engine air cleaner/filter is located on the front
corner of the engine compartment on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.

6-35
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to
be replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
fluid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make
a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-6Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication
Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the
GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). Reset the system. The system
will show you when to change the oil
-- usually between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km)
since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the
indicator may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or 12 months without an oil and
filter change.Remember to reset the Oil Life System when the oil and
filter have been changed. See ªOil Life Systemº in the
Index for information on resetting.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil and
filter change. Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage and parking
brake cable guides. Ball joints should not be lubricated
unless their temperature is 10
F (
-12
C) or higher,
or they could be damaged.