brake fluid CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps..................................................5-52
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps.....................................................5-55
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-56
Daytime Running Lamps................................5-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-58
Taillamps.....................................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-30andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-30andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-36.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-43.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-36.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-43.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-39.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood Fuse Blockº
under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-42.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-30andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-30andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-36.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-43.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-43.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-39.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood Fuse Blockº
under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-42.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see ªCHECK OIL LEVELº under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick has
a ring handle and is
located on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
more information on
location.
5-15

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50ÉF
(10ÉC). If it's colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), drive the vehicle
in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold ¯uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for ®ve minutes if outside temperatures are
50ÉF (10ÉC) or more. If it's colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the ¯uid
level be low during this cold check, you
mustcheck the
¯uid hot before adding ¯uid. Checking the ¯uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the ¯uid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
·Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
·With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
·With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
·Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transmission dipstick
handle with the graphic is
located at the rear of
the engine compartment,
on the passenger's side.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
5-23

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is ®lled with DOT-3
brake ¯uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that the
brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the ¯uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system ®xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won't work well,
or won't work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid won't correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake ¯uid, it can spill on
the engine. The ¯uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
¯uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See ªChecking Brake Fluidº
in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check your brake ¯uid. See
Part C: Periodic
MaintenanceInspections on page 6-15.
5-39

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake ¯uid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake ¯uid reservoir. The ¯uid level
should be above MIN. If it isn't have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is above the MIN but not over the MAX
mark.
What to Add
When you do need brake ¯uid, use only DOT-3 brake
¯uid. Use new brake ¯uid from a sealed container
only. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-17.
Always clean the brake ¯uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of ¯uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
¯uid.
5-40

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-11At Least Once a Year...................................6-12
Part C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections.........6-15
Steering and Suspension Inspection................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-15
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-16
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel
Drive) Inspection.......................................6-16
Brake System Inspection................................6-16
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-17
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-19
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

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

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