spare tire CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive. Also, seeBraking on page 4-6. If your vehicle
does not have four-wheel drive, you should not
drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some
denite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain
itself.
“Off-roading” means you have left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not
marked. Curves are not banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill, or
downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this guide. You
will nd many driving tips and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields, if the vehicle has them, are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inated? Are
the uid levels up where they should be? What are the
local laws that apply to off-roading where you will be
driving? If you do not know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
4-17

Tires..............................................................5-64
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-65
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-68
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-71
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-72
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-76
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77
Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-79
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-81
Wheel Replacement......................................5-81
Tire Chains..................................................5-83
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-84
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-84
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-86
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Secondary Latch System...............................5-96
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-100
Spare Tire.................................................5-102
Appearance Care..........................................5-103
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle...............5-103
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-105
Leather......................................................5-105Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-106
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-106
Weatherstrips.............................................5-106
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-107
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-107
Finish Care................................................5-107
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-108
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-109
Tires.........................................................5-109
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-110
Finish Damage...........................................5-110
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-110
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-110
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-111
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-112
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-112
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-112
Electrical System..........................................5-113
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-113
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-113
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-113
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-114
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block..............5-116
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-117
Capacities and Specications........................5-122
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell you that
under-ination or over-ination is all right. It is not.
If your tires do not have enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (over-ination), you
can get the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazardsA Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the
vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar), below the driver’s
door lock post (striker). This label lists your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and their recommended cold tire
ination pressures. The recommended cold tire
ination pressure, shown on the label, is the minimum
amount of air pressure needed to support your vehicle’s
maximum load carrying capacity.
For additional information regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and an example of the tire
and loading information label, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-46.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. For additional information
regarding the spare tire, seeSpare Tire on page 5-102.
5-71

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly
inated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inated even when they’re underinated.
Check the tire’s ination pressure when the tires are
cold. Cold means your vehicle has been sitting
for at least three hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press
the tire gage rmly onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire ination pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary.
If the ination pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
If your vehicle has this feature, sensors are mounted on
each tire and wheel assembly, except the spare tire.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your
vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver, if a low tire
pressure condition exists. This system also allows
the driver to check tire pressure levels using the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the
TPMS displays the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning
message on the DIC, and at the same time illuminates
the low tire pressure warning symbol. For additional
information and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-50andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-53.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on the
instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the vehicle is
rst started and then turn off as you start to drive
the vehicle. This could be an early indicator that the tire
pressures are getting low and need to be inated to
the proper pressure.
5-72

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inated to the ination
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire ination
pressure label, you should determine the proper ination
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is
signicantly under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a signicantly under-inated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-ination also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-ination
has not reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message and
low tire pressure light (telltale) will appear at each
ignition cycle until the tires are inated to the correct
ination pressure.
The Tire and Loading Information label (tire information
placard) shows the size of your vehicle’s original
tires and the correct ination pressure for your vehicle’s
tires when they are cold. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-71. For the location of the tire and loading
information label, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-46.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-76andTires on page 5-64.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle has
Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant can
damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.
5-73

6. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
9. After hearing the conrming horn chirp for the left
rear tire, check to see if the TPMS warning light is
still ashing. If it is, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK to exit the sensor matching process.
If the TPMS warning light is not ashing, the
ve minute time limit has passed and you will need
to start the process over beginning with Step 1.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems
The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. If you
replace one of the road tires with the spare, the CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE message will be displayed on the
DIC screen. This message should go off once you
re-install the road tire containing the TPMS sensor. The
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message is displayed
when the TPMS is malfunctioning. One or more missing
or inoperable TPMS sensors will cause the service
tire monitor message to be displayed. See your dealer
for service.Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry and Science
Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates on
a radio frequency and complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates
on a radio frequency and complies with RSS-210
of Industry and Science Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
5-75

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-77andWheel Replacement
on page 5-81for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves,
use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-84.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The rst rotation
is the most important. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-46andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-71,
for more information.
Vehicles that have the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) will need to have the TPMS sensors reset
after a tire rotation. See “TPMS Sensor Identication
Codes” underTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-72.
5-76

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for your
vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on
your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC spec) system rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle safety, during normal
use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s sidewall by the
tire manufacturer. If the tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC spec number will be followed by an MS
for mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 5-65for additional information.{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes,
brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires),
the vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes, brands or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same size,
brand, and type tires on all wheels.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare
than the road tires (those originally installed
on your vehicle). When new, your vehicle
included a spare tire and wheel assembly with
a similar overall diameter as your vehicle’s
road tires and wheels, so it is all right to drive
on it. Because this spare was developed for
use on your vehicle, it will not affect vehicle
handling.
5-78

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and temperature
performance. This applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
5-80

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jack and the wheel blocks are located under a
cover near the passenger side rear seat.
To remove the jack and wheel blocks, do the following:
1. Remove the jack cover by turning the two wing nuts
one-quarter turn counterclockwise and pulling the
jack cover off.A. Wheel Blocks
B. Knob
C. Wing Nut
D. Retaining HookE. Jack
F. Jack Head
G. Mounting Bracket
2. Release the jack (E) from the mounting bracket (G)
by turning the knob (B) on the jack counterclockwise
to lower the jack head (F) from the mounting bracket.
3. Remove the wheel blocks (A) attached to the jack (E)
by turning the wing nut (C) counterclockwise. Place
the wheel blocks where needed as indicated in
previously in this section. Rear Seat (Passenger Side) Jack Cover
5-86