maintenance CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2007 2.G User Guide

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs
to be changed. When you change the engine
oil, be sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message. SeeEngine Oil Life System
on page 449for information on how to reset the
message. This message clears itself after
10 seconds until the next ignition cycle or until the
message is reset. SeeEngine Oil on page 446
andScheduled Maintenance on page 563for
more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires
need to be checked. This message also displays
LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR,
or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs
to be checked. You can receive more than one
tire pressure message at a time. To read the
other messages that may have been sent at thesame time, press the set/reset button or the trip
odometer reset stem. If a tire pressure message
appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can.
Have the tire pressures checked and set to those
shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeTires on page 492,Loading Your Vehicle
on page 402, andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 500. The DIC display also shows the
tire pressure values for the front and rear tires
by pressing the vehicle information button.
See “DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons)” earlier in this section. If the tire pressure
is low, the low tire pressure warning light comes
on. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 250.DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
driver’s door is not fully closed and the vehicle
is in a drive gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC.
268

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.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
{CAUTION:
Cargo on the load oor piled higher
than the seatbacks can be thrown
forward during a sudden stop. You
or your passengers could be injured.
Keep cargo below the top of the
seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load oor
can be tossed about when driving
over rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by ying
objects. Secure the cargo properly.
CAUTION: (Continued)
370

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage. Also, check
the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
385

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission uid (don’t overll), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
426

Washing Your Vehicle............................... 541
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 541
Finish Care............................................... 541
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 542
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 542
Tires......................................................... 543
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 544
Finish Damage.......................................... 544
Underbody Maintenance............................ 544
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 544
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 545
Vehicle Identication.................................. 546
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 546
Service Parts Identication Label............... 546Electrical System........................................ 547
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 547
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 547
Power Windows and Other
Power Options....................................... 547
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 548
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 548
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block......... 550
Underhood Fuse Block.............................. 551
Capacities and Specications.................... 556
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
431

Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could
be damaged if you try to do service work
on a vehicle without knowing enough
about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement
parts, and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts,
and other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.If you want to do some of your own service work,
you should use the proper service manual. It
tells you much more about how to service your
vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper
service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 600.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 86.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. SeeMaintenance Record
on page 578.
434

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important
part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep your engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, GM recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.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 546.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 0)
or the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3), you may use
either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also see
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 438. In all other
engines, use only regular unleaded gasoline.
435

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 444for the
location of the engine
air cleaner/lter and
the air lter restriction
indicator, if the
vehicle has one.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle has an air lter restriction indicator,
it lets you know when the engine air cleaner/lter
needs to be replaced. On vehicles with a restriction
indicator, you should inspect the air lter restriction
indicator at every oil change and replace the engine
air cleaner/lter when the indicator tells you to.On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 563for
more information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Vehicles With an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
Locate the air lter restriction indicator on the
engine air cleaner/lter cover. When the indicator
turns black or is in the red/orange “change”
zone, replace the lter and reset the indicator.
See the steps following to replace the engine
air cleaner/lter and to reset the air lter
restriction indicator.
451

Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using
the procedure described previously. Consistency
(repeatable readings) is important to maintaining
proper uid level. If readings are still inconsistent,
contact your dealer.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 574.
Using a funnel, add uid down the transmission
dipstick tube only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only
as a reference. If the uid level is low, add only
enough of the proper uid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overll.Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 574.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine,
see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more
information.
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs rst,
if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
457

The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 460.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
458