fuel additives CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2005 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 Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol).................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
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 Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-30Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps.....................................................5-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-54
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-58
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive required to
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
General Motors recommends that you buy gasolines
that are advertised to help keep fuel injectors and intake
valves clean. If your vehicle experiences problems
due to dirty injectors or valves, try a different brand of
gasoline. Also, your GM dealer has additives that
will help correct and prevent most deposit-related
problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication
Number (VIN) on page 5-103.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z only),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E-85); also seeFuel
on page 5-5. In all other engines, including the 5.3L V8
(VIN Code T), use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z)
may use 85% ethanol fuel (E-85). General Motors
encourages the use of E-85 in vehicles that are designed
5-6

to use it. The ethanol in E-85 is a “renewable” fuel,
meaning it is made from renewable sources such as corn
and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E-85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://www.afdc.doe.gov/refueling_mapsite.shtml) that
can help you nd E-85 fuel. Those stations that do have
E-85 should have a label indicating ethanol content.
Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content isgreaterthan
85%. Your vehicle may not operate properly if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E-85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E-85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E-85, it may be because your E-85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may improve
starting. Your vehicle is designed to accommodate a
mixture of gasoline and E-85 fuel. For good starting and
heater efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel
tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol.
E-85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to rell your fuel tank more often when
using E-85 than when you are using gasoline. Regularunleaded gasoline is recommended when pulling a
trailer. For payload capacity with ethanol fuel, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E-85 fuel and may harm your fuel system. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered by
your new vehicle warranty. Do not use additives
with E-85 fuel.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-54
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-64
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-29
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning......................................3-20, 3-23
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-32
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-50
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-64
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-58
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-60
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-64
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-56
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-53
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-104
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-104
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-36
Appearance Care............................................5-94Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-100
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-101
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-98
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-95
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-96
Finish Care.................................................5-98
Finish Damage..........................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-97
Leather......................................................5-97
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-101
Tires........................................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-102
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-98
Weatherstrips..............................................5-98
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-99
Ashtrays........................................................3-20
Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-102
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-104
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-104
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-104
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-104
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-89
Radio with CD............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-76
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-101
1

E
Electrical System...........................................5-103
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-106
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-104
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-104
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-104
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-107
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-104
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-41
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-30
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-42
Fan Noise..................................................5-35
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-30
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-28
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-18
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Cargo Lamps......................................3-17
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-101
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-104
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-75
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-91
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-34, 5-48
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-57
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
E-85 (85% Ethanol)....................................... 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-44
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-45
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