power steering CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2004 1.G Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 2004, Model line: AVALANCHE, Model: CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2004 1.GPages: 548, PDF Size: 3.49 MB
Page 108 of 548
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering uid
reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels. It’s
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
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Page 171 of 548
The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-32.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
D. Automatic Transfer Case Buttons (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-38. Traction Assist
System (If Equipped). SeeTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-9. Stabilitrak
®Button (If Equipped).
SeeStabilitrak®System on page 4-11.
E. OnStar®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeOnStar®System on page 2-59and
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-114.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-34.
G. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-34.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-72.
I. Dome Override Button. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-20.J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
K. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
O. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-42.
P. Comfort Control Systems. SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 3-22andDual Climate
Control System on page 3-29.
Q. Lighter (If Equipped) or Accessory Power Outlet
(If Equipped). SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-22andAccessory Power Outlets on
page 3-21.
R. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-21.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-65.
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Page 293 of 548
Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Assist System (TAS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Assist System (TAS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the rear wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on in the
DIC when the TAS is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-65.
You may hear or feel the system working or notice a
lack of accelerator response, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you
may notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal
and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard
acceleration in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise ControlunderTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-8.
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Page 299 of 548
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you are
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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