brakes CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2007 2.G Owners Manual

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or
for off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 367
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You can use THIRD (3) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your
brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
If you select SECOND (2) and the Tow/Haul has
not been selected, the transmission will drive
in SECOND (2) gear. You may use this feature
for reducing the speed of the rear wheels
when you are trying to start your vehicle from
a stop on slippery road surfaces.
If you select SECOND (2) and the Tow/Haul has
also been selected, the transmission operation will
be limited to FIRST (1) and SECOND (2) gears.
You may use this feature for reducing the speed
of the rear wheels when you are trying to start your
vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using
your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward,
the transmission will not shift into rst gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
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Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only
the accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be covered
by your warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
When temperatures are very cold, the
Hydra-Matic
®Automatic Transmission’s gear
shifting may be delayed providing more stable
shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts may
be more noticeable with a cold transmission.
This difference in shifting is normal.
The transmission torque converter clutch operation
is restricted during cold operation. When the
startup transmission temperature is approximately
64°F (18°C) your torque converter clutch will
temporarily not operate. Once the transmission
temperature rises above 68°F (20°C), normal
operation will resume.
Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The button
is located on the end of the column shift
lever. Press the button to enable or disable the
tow/haul mode. You can use this feature to
assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 414for more information.
131

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before
you leave the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 139.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) before you release the
parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, then you will be able to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK.
You have to fully apply your regular brakes
rst and then press the shifter lever button before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 128.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear.
141

Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control
is turned off.If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise
control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 359.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located
on left side of the
steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and
turn off the system. The indicator light is on
when cruise control is on and turns off when cruise
control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to
a previously set speed.
212

The ultrasonic sensors are not kept clean.
So, be sure to keep your vehicle’s rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and
slush. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 541. If the DIC still
displays the PARKING ASSIST OFF
message after cleaning the bumper and
driving forward at a speed of at least
15 mph (25 km/h), see your dealer.
Other conditions that may affect system
performance include vibrations from a
jackhammer or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck or other mechanical
devices that interfere with URPA performance.
When URPA is disabled without driver
action and the driver attempts to turn
URPA back on by pressing the rear park
aid button, the indicator light will ash
for 3 seconds and then stay lit to indicate
that URPA is off.As always, drivers should use care when
backing up a vehicle. Always look behind you,
being sure to check for other vehicles,
obstructions and blind spots.
For Driver Information Center messages
related to URPA, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 267.
If the vehicle bumper is damaged, the URPA
system may not work properly. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the system.
225

Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime
sounds there could be a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 472for more information.
This light should come on briey when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If it does not
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 408.
United StatesCanada
247

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on when
you start your engine
and may stay on for
several seconds.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. A chime
will sound when the light stays on. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have ABS.If the regular brake system warning light is
also on you do not have ABS and there is a
problem with your regular brakes. In addition to
both lights, you will also hear a chime sound
on the rst occurrence of a problem and each
time the vehicle is shut off and then restarted.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 246.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on
briey when the
engine is started.
248

SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
On some vehicles, this message displays if there
is a problem with the battery charging system.
Under certain conditions, the charging system
light may also turn on in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 245.
Driving with this problem could drain the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Have
the electrical system checked as soon
as possible. See your dealer.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays along with the brake
system warning light if there is a problem with
the brake system. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 246. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service as soon as possible.
See your dealer.
SERVICE BRAKES SOON
This message displays if there is a problem with
the brake system. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service. See your dealer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system, this message displays
if there is a problem with the URPA system.
Do not use this system to help you park.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on page 222for more information. See your
dealer for service.
273

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow
or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control
systems than the tires and road can provide.
That means you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 359.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 433.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 246.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
356

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 433.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 248.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP
problem, both the brake and ABS warning lights
will come on accompanied by a 10-second
chime. The lights and chime will come on each
time the ignition is turned on until the problem is
repaired. See your dealer for service.
357