air condition CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G User Guide

Operation Tips
·
Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow,
or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The
heater and defroster will work far better, reducing
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
·Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your
vehicle.
·Adding outside equipment to the front of your
vehicle, such as hood-air de¯ectors, etc., may affect
the performance of the heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Climate Controls Personalization
If your vehicle is equipped with the electronic climate
control system, you can store and recall the climate
control settings for temperature, air delivery mode and
fan speed for two different drivers. The personal
choice settings recalled are determined by the
transmitter used to enter the vehicle.
After the button with the unlock symbol on a remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the climate control
will adjust to the last settings of the identi®ed driver.
The settings can also be changed by pressing one of the
memory buttons (1 or 2) located on the driver's door.
When adjustments are made, the new settings are
automatically saved for that driver.
3-29

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on brie¯y 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 a 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 DIC will also display the
battery not charging message. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57.
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.
Voltmeter Gage
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.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power
at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
3-36

A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, see
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-5for the proper transmission maintenance
intervals.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
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 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:Modi®cations 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 this light to come on.
Modi®cations 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.
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 FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
3-41

XMŸ Radio Messages
Radio Display
MessageCondition Action Required
XL (Explicit Language
Channels)XL on the radio display,
after the channel name,
indicates content with
explicit language.These channels, or any others, can be blocked at a
customer's request, by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
Updating Updating encryption
codeThe encryption code in your receiver is being updated, and
no action is required. This process should take no longer
than 30 seconds.
No Signal Loss of signal Your system is functioning correctly, but you are in a
location that is blocking the XM signal. When you move
into an open area, the signal should return.
Loading XM Acquiring channel audio
(after 4 second delay)Your radio system is acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This message should
disappear shortly.
CH Off Air Channel not in service This channel is not currently in service. Tune to another
channel.
CH Unavail Channel no longer
availableThis previously assigned channel is no longer assigned.
Tune to another station. If this station was one of your
presets, you may need to choose another station for that
preset button.
No Info Artist Name/Feature not
availableNo artist information is available at this time on this
channel. Your system is working properly.
No Info Song/Program Title not
availableNo song title information is available at this time on this
channel. Your system is working properly.
3-72

XMŸ Radio Messages
Radio Display
MessageCondition Action Required
XL (Explicit Language
Channels)XL on the radio display,
after the channel name,
indicates content with
explicit language.These channels, or any others, can be blocked at a
customer's request, by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
Updating Updating encryption
codeThe encryption code in your receiver is being updated, and
no action is required. This process should take no longer
than 30 seconds.
No Signal Loss of signal Your system is functioning correctly, but you are in a
location that is blocking the XM signal. When you move
into an open area, the signal should return.
Loading XM Acquiring channel audio
(after 4 second delay)Your radio system is acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This message should
disappear shortly.
CH Off Air Channel not in service This channel is not currently in service. Tune to another
channel.
CH Unavail Channel no longer
availableThis previously assigned channel is no longer assigned.
Tune to another station. If this station was one of your
presets, you may need to choose another station for that
preset button.
No Info Artist Name/Feature not
availableNo artist information is available at this time on this
channel. Your system is working properly.
No Info Song/Program Title not
availableNo song title information is available at this time on this
channel. Your system is working properly.
3-83

When the Stabilitrakžsystem has been turned off you
may still hear system noises as a result of the
brake-traction control coming on.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn
the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice
or snow, and you want to ªrockº your vehicle to
attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme off-road conditions
where high wheel spin is required. See
If You Are
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-45.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the
Stabilitrakžsystem. Traction control limits wheel spin by
reducing engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each individual
wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when you start your vehicle, and it will activate
and display the TRACTION ACTIVE message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) if it senses that any of
the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If you turn off Stabilitrak
ž, only the
brake-traction control portion of traction control will
work. The engine speed management will be disabled.
In this state, engine power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin more freely.This can cause the brake-traction control to activate
constantly. For more information on the traction active
message, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-46.
Notice:If the traction off light comes on due to
heavy braking and/or because the traction control
system has been continuously active, do not
allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin excessively. If
you do, you may be causing damage to your
transfer case. This could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty.
If the brake-traction control system activates constantly
or if the brakes have heated up due to high speed
braking, the brake-traction control will be automatically
disabled. The system will come back on after the
brakes have cooled. This can take up to two minutes or
longer depending on brake usage.
Notice:Don't allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin
excessively when the traction off, ABS and brake
lights are on and the SERVICE STABILITY MESSAGE
is displayed. In this situation, damage to the
transfer case is possible. This could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. You should
immediately reduce engine power until the lights
and messages are no longer displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
4-13

A hydraulic pump inside each rear shock absorber
raises the rear of the vehicle to the proper height, based
on inputs from the road surface, while the vehicle is
being driven. It take approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of
driving for the leveling to complete, depending on
the road surface conditions.
If the loaded vehicle is not moved for approximately
12 hours, the leveling system may bleed down to a lower
height. This can be especially apparent if a trailer is
left attached to a parked vehicle for long periods of time.
The vehicle must be driven to re-level the vehicle.
If a self-equalizing hitch is being used, the vehicle
should be driven approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) with the
trailer prior to adjusting (leveling) the hitch.
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Before installing a snow plow on your vehicle, here are
some things you'll need to know:
Notice:If your vehicle doesn't have the snow plow
prep package, adding a plow can damage your
vehicle, and the repairs wouldn't be covered
by warranty. Unless your vehicle was built to carry
a snow plow, don't add one to your vehicle. If
your vehicle has the snow plow option called RPO
VYU (snow plow prep package), then the payloadyour vehicle can carry will be reduced when a snow
plow is installed. Your vehicle can be damaged if
either the front or rear axle ratings, or the GVW, are
exceeded.
Q:How do I know if my vehicle can handle a snow
plow?
A:Some vehicles are built with a special package,
called RPO VYU (snow plow prep package). If
your vehicle has this option, you can add a plow to
it, provided certain weights, such as the weights
on the vehicle's axles and the GVW, aren't
exceeded.
Q:How heavy can a snow plow safely be?
A:The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many
things, such as:
·The options your vehicle came with, and the weight
of those options,
·The weight and number of passengers you intend
to carry,
·The weight of items you've added to your vehicle,
like a tool box or truck cap,
·The total weight of any additional cargo you intend
to carry.
4-54

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certi®ed to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
speci®cations. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
speci®cations, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-41)
and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. 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.
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. 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
speci®cations 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 the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn't 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 does
not recommend 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 authorized GM dealer for
service.
5-6

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
location of engine air
cleaner/®lter and change
indicator (if equipped).
When to Inspect
If your vehicle is equipped with a ®lter change indicator
it lets you know when the ®lter needs to be replaced.
Inspect the air cleaner/®lter change indicator every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) and replace the ®lter if
necessary. Vehicles without a change indicator inspect
the air cleaner/®lter every 15,000 miles (25 000 km)
and replace the ®lter every 30,000 miles (50 000 km). If
you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
®lter or change indicator at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect
Locate the ®lter change indicator. When the change
indicator turns black or is in the red/orange ªchangeº
zone, replace the ®lter and reset the indicator. To
inspect the air cleaner/®lter, remove the ®lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake ®lter to release loose dust and
dirt. If the ®lter remains ªcakedº with dirt, a new ®lter
is required.
To inspect and replace the ®lter and reset the indicator
(if equipped), do the following:
The air cleaner/®lter assembly is located on the front
corner of the engine compartment on the passenger's
side of the vehicle.
5-20

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Notice:Your pressure cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
See ªCapacities and Speci®cationsº for more
information.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-39. In addition, you will
®nd a LOW COOLANT, ENGINE COOLANT HOT,
ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED ENGINE
POWER message in the DIC on the instrument panel.
See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ®ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the
Index.
5-27