ignition CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

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.
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
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-58.
2-39

·Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear ± not in
NEUTRAL.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll ± even if your lever is in PARK
(P) ± if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear ±
not NEUTRAL. See ªFour-Wheel Drive
(Automatic Transfer Case)º in the Index.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it.
2-41

After you move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park
(P) on page 2-40.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-31.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF/ACCESSORY. There is no
shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as possible.
2-42

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Twist the tab under the mirror to reduce glare from
headlamps behind you after dark. Twist the the tab back
for normal daytime operation.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, an
electrochromic mirror automatically dims to the proper
level to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a duel display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, brie¯y to
turn the comp/temp display on or off.
If the display reads CAL, you will need to calibrate the
compass. For more information on calibration, see
below.
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 ÉF, or ÉC
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.
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
The electrochromic (self dimming) mirror function is
turned on automatically each time the ignition is started.
To operate the electrochromic mirror do the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to
the left of the on/off button, is lit. If it's not, press
and hold the on/off button for approximately
six seconds until the green light comes on,
indicating that the mirror is in electrochromic (self
dimming) mode.
2-46

Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the
TEMP button. Pressing the TEMP button once brie¯y,
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 ÉF
and ÉC. 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
dealer.
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
The time period you need to press and hold the TEMP
button to turn the electrochromic feature on or off is
approximately eight seconds. The indicator light to the
left of the TEMP button will still turn on or off to
show you when the electrochromic feature is activated.
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 brie¯y to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for
approximately two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
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.
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.
2-49

To remove a cargo panel(s), do the following:
1. Lower the tailgate. Use the ignition/door key to
unlock the tailgate if it is locked. See
Tailgate on
page 2-21in the Index for more information on the
tailgate.
Before removing the cargo panel(s), notice the
numbers embossed on the upper center portion of
each panel. The panels are labeled 1, 2 and 3.There are also numbered labels on the bottom of the
panels. The numbers on the top and bottom of the
panels will be used as reference when removing, storing
and reinstalling the panels.
2. Remove cargo panel 3 by pulling the left and right
cargo panel latches, located on the bottom of each
cargo panel, toward you to release (unlock) the
cargo panel latches.
2-62

Top-Box Storage
Your vehicle is equipped with top-box storage units on
both side of the vehicle. The passenger side top box
contains the tools you will need to change a ¯at tire.
Use the ignition/door key to unlock the top box lid if it is
locked. Press the key cylinder button and swing the
lid open. Turn on the cargo lamps if you need more light
inside the Top Boxes. See ªCargo Lampsº under
Exterior Lamps on page 3-13for more information on
cargo lamps. Use the ignition/door key to lock the
top boxes.
Tonneau Cover
{CAUTION:
Improperly stored tonneau cover components
could be thrown about the vehicle during a
collision or sudden maneuver. You or others
could be injured. If you remove the cover,
bows and rails, always store them properly in
the cargo area.
When you put them back, always be sure that
they are securely reattached.
2-77

Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close your sunroof, the ignition
needs to be on or RAP needs to be active. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº under
Ignition Positions on
page 2-27.
Press and release the rear side of the button located in
the front overhead console to express-open the glass
panel and sunshade. To close the glass panel,
press and hold the front of the button. The glass will not
be fully seated unless the button is held until the
glass stops moving. With the sunroof closed, press the
forward side of the button to open the sunroof to the
vent position.The sunroof is also equipped with a sunshade which
you can pull forward to block sun rays.
If a hand, arm, or other object is blocking the sunroof
glass panel as it is closing, the glass panel will stop
at the obstruction. After the obstruction is removed, the
glass panel can be closed or opened.
Use care not to leave the sunroof open for long periods
of time as debris may collect in the tracks.
If the battery has been recharged, disconnected or is
not working, you may need to reprogram the sunroof. To
do this, start the vehicle and press the forward side of
the sunroof button until the glass panel moves to a fully
closed position. Release, and press again to move to
the vent position which occurs when the sunroof is fully
tilted rearward. This will reset the memory and enable
the sunroof to function properly.
2-84

If you use the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to enter your vehicle, the preset driver's
seat, throttle and brake pedal, mirror positions and the
radio station presets will be recalled if programmed
to do so through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-46.
The numbers on the back of the transmitters, 1 or 2,
correspond to the numbers on the memory controls.
The seat, throttle and brake pedals and mirror positions
can also be recalled when placing the key in the
ignition if programmed to do so through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-46.
To stop recall movement of the memory seat feature at
any time, press one of the memory buttons or power
seat controls.
Easy Exit Seat
The controls for this memory function are located on the
driver's door.
B(Easy Exit Seat):This button is used to program
and recall the desired driver's seat position when
exiting/entering the vehicle. The seat position, can be
personalized for both driver 1 and driver 2.To store the seat exit position for driver 1 or 2, do the
following:
1. Select the desired driver number by pressing and
releasing the 1 or 2 button or by pressing the
unlock button on the number 1 or 2 remote keyless
entry transmitter. The seat will move to the stored
memory position.
2. Adjust the seat to the desired exit position.
3. Press and hold the exit button of the memory
control for three seconds. A double chime will sound
to let you know that the position has been stored
for the identi®ed driver (1 or 2).
To use the seat exit position, do one of the following:
·Press the exit button on the memory control.
·Or, if this feature is enabled (active) in the DIC,
then removing the key from the ignition will
cause the seat to move to the exit position.
2-86

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
·Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the set button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator
pedal. You'll now cruise at the higher speed.
·Move the cruise switch from on to
resume/accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to
the speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch brie¯y to resume/accelerate. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
·
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
·To slow down in very small amounts, brie¯y press
the set button. Each time you do this, you'll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers ®nd this to be too much trouble and don't use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
·Step lightly on the brake pedal,
·move the cruise control switch to off, or
·shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
·If your vehicle has the Stabilitrakžfeature, cruise
control will deactivate if road conditions cause
Stabilitrak
žto activate.
The cruise control will turn off automatically if the
traction control system or Stabilitrak
žsystem activate, if
your vehicle is equipped with either feature.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12