oil CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
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 do not, 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 will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-30

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-17
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamps...............................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-20
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-20
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-31
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-32
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Traction Off Light..........................................3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-38
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-43
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission uid. The normal
operating range is from 180°F (82°C) to about
200°F (93°C).
At approximately 265°F (130°C), the driver information
center will display a TRANSMISSION HOT message
and the transmission will enter a transmission protection
mode. When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the transmission
shifting patterns. The transmission will return to normal
shifting patterns when the transmission uid temperature
falls below 260°F (127°C).
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45for
further information.
If your vehicle has an Allison transmission, and the uid
reaches temperatures of approximately 275°F (135°C)
or greater, the driver information center will display
a TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE warning message and a
chime will sound until the temperature falls below
265°F (129°C). Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it
is safe to do so. Set the parking brake, place the
transmission in PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle
until the transmission temperature falls below 265°F
(129°C). If the transmission continues to operate above
265°F (130°C), contact your nearest dealer or the
GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5.Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Vehicle overloading
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for the proper transmission maintenance
intervals.
3-39

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch) when the engine is
running. Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in
kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused
by a dangerously low oil level or some other problem
causing low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. United States
Canada
3-42

{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
Security Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn the
key toward START.
The light will stay on until
the engine starts.If the light ashes, the Passlock
®system has entered a
tamper mode. If the vehicle fails to start, seePasslock®
on page 2-26.
If the light comes on continuously while driving and
stays on, there may be a problem with the Passlock
®
system. Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock®,
and you should see your dealer.
Also, seeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-24for
additional information regarding the security light.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set your
cruise control.
The light will go out when the cruise control is turned
off. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more
information.
3-43

A3(Trip Information):Press this button to display
the odometer, trip odometers, tire pressure for vehicles
equipped with a tire pressure monitor, timer and
engine hours.
B
t(Fuel Information):Press this button to display
the current range, fuel used, average fuel economy and
engine oil life.
C
4(Customization):Press this button to access the
vehicle settings menu and customize the personal
settings on your vehicle.
D
r(Select):Press this button to reset certain DIC
functions and set your customization settings.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
DIC messages and clear them from the DIC display.
DIC Operation and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on when the
ignition is on. After a short delay, the DIC will display
the information that was last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the four DIC buttons located on the steering
wheel. These buttons are trip information, fuel
information, customization and select. The button
functions are detailed in the following pages.
Trip Information Button
3
(Trip Information):Press the trip information
button to scroll through the ODOMETER, TRIP A,
TRIP B, TIMER and ENGINE HOURS.
Odometer:Press the trip information button until
ODOMETER appears on the display. This mode shows
the total distance the vehicle has been driven in
either miles or kilometers. Pressing the reset stem
located on the instrument cluster with the vehicle off will
also display the odometer.
Trip A:Press the trip information button until TRIP A
appears on the display. This mode shows the current
distance traveled since the last reset for TRIP A in either
miles or kilometers.
3-46

Trip B:Press the trip information button until TRIP B
appears on the display. This mode shows the current
distance traveled since the last reset for TRIP B in either
miles or kilometers.
To reset TRIP A or TRIP B information, press and hold
the select button for one second while in one of the
trip modes. This will reset the information for TRIP A or
TRIP B.
You can also reset TRIP A or TRIP B while they are
displayed by pressing the reset stem on the cluster. If you
press and hold the reset stem or the select button for four
seconds, the display will show the distance traveled since
the last ignition cycle for TRIP A or TRIP B.
Timer:The DIC can be used as a timer. Press the
select button while TIMER is displayed to start the timer.
The display will show the amount of time that has
passed since the timer was last reset, not including time
the ignition is off. Time will continue to be counted as
long as the ignition is on, even if another display is being
shown on the DIC. The timer will record up to 99 hours,
59 minutes and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after which
the display will roll back to zero.
To stop the counting of time, press the select button
briey while TIMER is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press and hold the select
button while TIMER is displayed.Engine Hours:Press the trip information button until
ENGINE HOURS appears on the display. This
mode shows the total number of hours the engine has
run. Pressing and holding the reset stem located on
the instrument cluster for about four seconds will also
display the engine hour information after the odometer is
displayed when the vehicle is off.
Fuel Information Button
t
(Fuel Information):Press the fuel information
button to scroll through the range, fuel used, average
fuel economy and the engine oil life system.
Fuel Range:Press the fuel information button until
RANGE appears on the display. This mode shows the
remaining distance you can drive without refueling. It is
based on fuel economy and the fuel remaining in the
tank. The display will show LOW if the fuel level is low.
The fuel economy data used to determine fuel range is an
average of recent driving conditions. As your driving
conditions change, this data is gradually updated. Fuel
range cannot be reset.
3-47

Fuel Used:Press the fuel information button until
FUEL USED appears on the display. This mode shows
the number of gallons or liters of fuel used since the
last reset of this menu item. To reset the fuel used
information, press and hold the select button for one
second while FUEL USED is displayed.
Average Fuel Economy:Press the fuel information
button until AVG ECON appears on the display.
This mode shows how many miles per gallon (MPG) or
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) your vehicle is
getting based on current and past driving conditions.
Press and hold the select button for one second while
AVG ECON is displayed to reset the average fuel
economy. Average fuel economy will then be calculated
starting from that point. If the average fuel economy is not
reset, it will be continually updated each time you drive.
Engine Oil Life System:Press the fuel information
button until ENGINE OIL LIFE appears on the display.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the oil’s
remaining useful life. It will show 100% when the
system is reset after an oil change. It will alert you to
change your oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. To reset the engine oil life system, use the fuel
button to reach the ENGINE OIL LIFE screen and
then press and hold the select button for ve seconds
while ENGINE OIL LIFE is displayed. OIL LIFE
RESET will appear on the display for 10 seconds to let
you know the system is reset. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-18for more information.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil
life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Customization Button
4
(Customization):Press the customization button to
access the VEHICLE SETTINGS menu and customize
the settings to your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-58for more information.
Select Button
r
(Select):Press the select button to reset certain
DIC functions and set your customization settings.
For example, this button will reset the trip odometers
and scroll through the languages in which you can select
the DIC to display information.
3-48

Pressing any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display.
BUCKLE SEATBELT
If your vehicle is equipped with the passenger sensing
system, this message reminds you to buckle the
driver’s seat belt. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 1-60.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle
your seat belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on
and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver’s seat belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster. See
Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-31.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed and service is required for your vehicle.
See your GM dealer. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4andEngine Oil on page 5-15for more
information. Also seeEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-18for information on how to reset the message.
This message will clear itself after 10 seconds until
the next ignition cycle.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this message
will appear on the DIC, a chime will sound and the
charging system light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-34
andVoltmeter Gage on page 3-35for more information.
Driving with this problem could drain your battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the
electrical system checked by your GM dealer
immediately.
3-50

CHECK OIL LEVEL
If the oil level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool or
warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this message
will clear. This message will clear itself after 10 seconds
until the next ignition cycle. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will appear
on the DIC. Adding washer uid will clear the message.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-36. Pressing
any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will clear the
message from the DIC display. If your vehicle is not
equipped with the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will clear the message from the DIC
display. If you do not clear this message, it will clear itself
after 10 seconds until the next ignition cycle.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
If the driver’s door is not fully closed and the vehicle is
in a drive gear, this message will appear on the
display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for obstacles and close the
door again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons,
if equipped, will clear the message from the DIC display.If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will clear the
message from the DIC display.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Turn off the air conditioning. If the
message is still on, or if the engine coolant temperature
gage continues to rise, pull the vehicle over when it is
safe to do so. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-38for more information. Stop the vehicle and let
the engine idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach
a safe temperature. This message will clear when the
coolant temperature drops to a safe operating
temperature. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons, if
equipped, will clear the message from the DIC display.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will clear the
message from the DIC display.
3-51