warning light CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOLžcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOLžcoolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn't get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you don't
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-25

Notice:
·Using the wrong ¯uid 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 ¯uid.
·If you spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint ®nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake ¯uid 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 ®rmly).
{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.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are ®rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci®cations.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-16.
5-41

While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signi®cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction ± AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci®ed government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature ± A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci®ed indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly in¯ated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underin¯ation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-66

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-54
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-53
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-29
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-69, 3-80
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-31
Air Bag Systems.....................................1-52, 1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-66
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-59
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-66
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag In¯ates?......1-60
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-55
Air Bag .........................................................3-34
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-24
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-93
AM .............................................................3-102
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-103
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-103Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-38
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care............................................5-88
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-94
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-91
Finish Damage............................................5-93
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-24
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio Output..................................................3-97
Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-101
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-103
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-103
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-103
Radio with CD............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-76
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-99
Setting the Time..........................................3-64
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-102
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-103
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-20
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-34
1

Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-12
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-13
Automatic Transmission...................................5-22
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-31
Auxiliary Battery..............................................4-69
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-16
B
Backing Up....................................................4-65
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-58
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Battery..........................................................5-42
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-38
Before You Drive............................................3-90
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-19
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-12
Brake Adjustment............................................5-42
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-29
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-42
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-39
Parking......................................................2-39
System Inspection.......................................6-16
System Warning Light..................................3-37Brake (cont.)
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-27
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-58
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-55
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headlamps.................................................5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-59
Taillamps....................................................5-58
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-106
Carbon Monoxide...........4-41, 4-58, 2-12, 2-21, 2-44
Care of.........................................................5-91
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-103
2

Automatic...................................................3-20
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-29
Dual..........................................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-75, 3-89
Compass Calibration...............................2-48, 2-49
Compass Operation.........................................2-49
Compass Variance..................................2-47, 2-50
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-25
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant.........................................................3-39
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Heater, Engine............................................2-30
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-27
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-25, 3-27
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing................................................4-49
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-50
Dome Lamps.................................................3-17
Door............................................................... 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-61
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-46
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Driver............................................................1-16
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-28
4

Engine (cont.)
Starting......................................................2-28
Entertainment System....................................3-103
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-103
DVD Distortion..........................................3-102
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Environmental Concerns..................................4-21
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-58
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter.............................................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).....3-69, 3-80
Finding a Station....................................3-67, 3-78
Finish Care....................................................5-92
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-103
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Fluid.............................................................5-22
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38Fluid (cont.)
FM Stereo....................................................3-102
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Following Distance..........................................4-65
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-34, 5-50
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-59
Front Axle Locking Feature...............................2-34
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Frontal Air Bags.............................................1-57
Fuel Information Button....................................3-49
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-60
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-45
System Inspection.......................................6-15
Fuses...........................................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-97
6

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

Light (cont.)
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-41
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-33
Security.....................................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-45
Traction Off................................................3-38
Listening to a DVD.........................................3-89
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-20
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-51
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-11
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks............................................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-18
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-58
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-45
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-60
Lumbar........................................................... 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3M
Maintenance and Cleaning...............................2-73
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-108
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-16
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-16
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-15
Fuel System Inspection................................6-15
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-15
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-17
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-19
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel
Drive) Inspection......................................6-16
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-67
Making Turns.................................................4-65
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-41
9

S
Safety Belt.....................................................3-33
Reminder Light............................................3-33
Safety Belts...................................................5-91
Care of......................................................5-91
Center Passenger Position............................1-24
Driver Position............................................1-16
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-14
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-29
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-26
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-24
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-31
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-23
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Chains.................................................4-64
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scanning the Terrain.......................................4-22
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-5
Seat............................................................... 1-7
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Seats.............................................................. 1-4
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Passenger......................................... 1-2
Memory.....................................................2-85
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8Seats (cont.)
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-5
Secondary Latch System.................................5-84
Securing a Child Restraint................................1-48
Center Front Seat Position............................1-48
Rear Seat Position......................................1-45
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-48
Security Light.................................................3-44
Select Button.................................................3-57
SERVICE 4WD...............................................3-60
SERVICE AIR BAG.........................................3-58
SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER...........................3-59
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM.............................3-59
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Manuals.............................................7-11
SERVICE STABILITY......................................3-63
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-41
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)...............3-70, 3-81
Setting Preset Stations............................3-68, 3-79
Setting the Time.............................................3-64
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..................3-68, 3-79
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-93
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-40
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-42
Side Impact Air Bags.......................................1-58
13