steering CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Service Manual

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-15for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil
and ®lter 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 10ÉF (-12ÉC) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change and chassis lubrication. After the services are
performed, record the date, odometer reading and
who performed the service on the maintenance record
pages in Part E of this schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter or change indicator (if
equipped). If necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is
driven in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter or
change indicator (if equipped) at every engine oil
change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
6-6

Part C: Periodic
MaintenanceInspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer's
service department do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-11.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, cha®ng, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the ¯oor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page 2-44.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
6-15

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front AxleSAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant (GM
Part No. U.S. 1052271, in Canada
10950849 or equivalent).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455) or
equivalent meeting GM Speci®cation
9986115.
6-17

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

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

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

G
Gage............................................................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-39
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Oil Pressure...............................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Transmission Temperature.............................3-40
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-36
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-55
Gasoline......................................................... 5-5
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-57
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-21
Glove Box.....................................................2-59
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamps....................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-58Headlamps (cont.)
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-55
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headphones...................................................3-96
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-25
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-39
Hitches..........................................................4-63
HomeLink
žTransmitter, Programming................2-56
HomeLinkžTransmitter....................................2-55
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-24
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-22, 5-62
How to Inspect...............................................5-20
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
Hydroplaning..................................................4-35
7

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

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