mirror CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to
spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.If you have the Traction Assist System, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have
this system, or if the system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-18

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
Ð by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
·Drive defensively.
·Don't drink and drive.
·Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
·Since you can't see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
·Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
·In remote areas, watch for animals.
·If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place and
rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if
you're driving, don't wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-32

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ¯ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the ¯ow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic
¯ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in
your ªblindº spot.
4-37

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway
hypnosisº? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
·Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
·Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
·If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
4-39

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ¯ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ¯ash, telling other drivers
you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-65

You may have spare fuses located behind the fuse
block access door. These can be used to replace a bad
fuse. However, make sure it is of the correct amperage.
Your vehicle may not have all of the features or
fuses listed in this section.
Fuses Usage
RR Wiper Rear Window Wiper Switch
SEO ACCYSpecial Equipment Option
Accessory
Fuses Usage
WS WPR Windshield Wipers
TBC ACCYTruck Body Controller
Accessory
IGN 3 Ignition, Heated Seats
4WDFour-Wheel Drive System,
Auxiliary Battery
HTR A/C Climate Control System
LOCKPower Door Lock Relay
(Lock Function)
HVAC 1Inside Rearview Mirror,
Climate Control System
L DOORDriver's Door Harness
Connection
CRUISE Cruise Control
UNLOCKPower Door Lock Relay
(Unlock Function)
RR FOG LP Rear Fog Lamp (Export Only)
BRAKE Anti-Lock Brake System
DRIVER UNLOCKPower Door Lock Relay
(Driver's Door Unlock
Function)
5-98

Care of (cont.)
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-103
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-72
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-76
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-61
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-16
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-64
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-71
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-59
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-58
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-100
Center Overhead Console................................2-59
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-68
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-57
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-41
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-57
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-60
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-67
Check...........................................................3-41
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-94
Child Restraints..............................................1-38
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38Child Restraints (cont.)
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-91
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-88
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-90
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-90
Cleaning Leather............................................5-90
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-48, 2-51
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-90
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-90
Cleaning........................................................5-88
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-88
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Video Screen............................................3-103
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Climate Control System...................................3-20
3

Driving Downhill..............................................4-26
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-29
Driving in Water..............................................4-30
Driving On Grades..........................................4-66
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-23
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-42
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-35
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-35
Driving Uphill..................................................4-24
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-64
Driving..........................................................4-32
At Night.....................................................4-32
City...........................................................4-36
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-37
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-39
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-33
Winter........................................................4-41
Dual Climate Control System............................3-26
DVD Player....................................................3-90
DVD ............................................................3-103
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-103
Distortion..................................................3-102
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-90E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-86
Electrical System............................................5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-97
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-97
Electrochromic Mirror Operation................2-46, 2-49
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-43
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-58
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-10
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-58
Engine..........................................................5-20
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-30
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-39
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-44
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-27
5

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-42
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-45
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-59
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-44
Ignition Positions.............................................2-27
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-13
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-24
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-62
Inspection......................................................6-16
Brake System.............................................6-16
Engine Cooling System................................6-16
Exhaust System..........................................6-15
Fuel System...............................................6-15
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-15
Steering and Suspension..............................6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive)....................................6-16
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-97
Instrument Panel.............................................3-31
Cluster.......................................................3-31
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-12
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-14
Lamps...........................................................3-13
Exterior......................................................3-13
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-25
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-16, 1-27
LATCH System...............................................1-43
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-41
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-62
Level Control..................................................4-53
Light.............................................................3-33
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-38
Brake System Warning.................................3-37
Charging System.........................................3-36
Cruise Control.............................................3-44
8

Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-85
Message.......................................................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning.......2-75
Midgate Operation...........................................2-12
Midgate.........................................................2-12
Mirrors..........................................................2-48
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-48
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
ž,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-46
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-46
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist.............................................2-53
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-51
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-52
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-51
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-27
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-108
O
Odometer......................................................3-32
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
OIL LIFE RESET............................................3-57
OIL PRESSURE LOW.....................................3-57
Oil ................................................................5-15
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-43
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-54
OnStaržServices............................................2-54
OnStaržSteering Wheel Controls......................2-55
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-53
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-54
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-19
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outside.........................................................2-53
Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View
Assist.....................................................2-53
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-51
Convex Mirror.............................................2-52
Heated Mirrors............................................2-52
Power Mirrors.............................................2-51
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-27
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
10