service CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2008 2.G Owners Manual

Repair Facility
We recommend that you choose a collision repair
facility that meets your needs before you ever need
collision repairs. Your dealer/retailer may have a
collision repair center with GM-trained technicians and
state of the art equipment, or be able to recommend
a collision repair center that has GM-trained technicians
and comparable equipment.
Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage.
There are signicant differences in the quality of
coverage afforded by various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide reduced protection to
your GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage
repairs by using aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not specify aftermarket collision
parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that
you assure your vehicle will be repaired with GM original
equipment collision parts. If such insurance coverage
is not available from your current insurance carrier,
consider switching to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts. Read
your lease carefully, as you may be charged at the
end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in a crash.
Check to make sure that you are all right. If you
are uninjured, make sure that no one else in
your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call emergency services
for help. Do not leave the scene of a crash until
all matters have been taken care of. Move
your vehicle only if its position puts you in danger
or you are instructed to move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the crash.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental
frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the crash.
This will help guard against post-crash legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s
name, the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
7-12

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-15

Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems
performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR
in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety
belts were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded
by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash
location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type
of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.
7-16

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment
is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR
is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the
special equipment, can read the information if they
have access to the vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in
response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by law.
Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for
GM research needs or may be made available to others
for research purposes, where a need is shown and the
data is not tied to a specic vehicle or vehicle owner.
OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See alsoOnStar
®System on page 2-61in
this manual for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not
use or record personal information or link with any
other GM system containing personal information.
7-17

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-74
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-108
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning......................................3-21, 3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-36
Readiness Light..........................................3-35
Airbag System................................................1-60
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-74
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-67
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-69
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-74
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-67
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-68
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-65
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-63
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-120
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-120
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Anti-lock Brake, System Warning Light...............3-41Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-104
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-102
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-106
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-100
Finish Care...............................................5-103
Finish Damage..........................................5-105
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-101
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-99
Leather....................................................5-101
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-105
Tires........................................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-105
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-106
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-102
Weatherstrips............................................5-102
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-104
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-20
Audio System.................................................3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-118
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-120
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual............................3-107
Radio Reception........................................3-119
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-116
Setting the Clock.........................................3-76
1

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-56
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-104
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-100
Finish Care...............................................5-103
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-101
Interior.......................................................5-99
Leather....................................................5-101
Tires........................................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-105
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-102
Weatherstrips............................................5-102
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-104
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-31
Clock, Setting.................................................3-76Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass...............................................2-49, 2-52
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-26
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-25
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-42
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-28
Cooling System..............................................5-31
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Cruise Control Light........................................3-48
Cupholders....................................................2-71
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
3

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Diesel
Running Out of Fuel....................................2-48
Disc, MP3............................................3-96, 3-101
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override......................................3-18
Dome Lamps .................................................3-18
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays..................3-51, 3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-66
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-59
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-27
Before a Long Trip......................................4-29
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-30
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-28
Off-Road ....................................................4-12Driving (cont.)
Recovery Hooks..........................................4-35
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-34
Winter........................................................4-31
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-107
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-108
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-108
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-108
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-111
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-108
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-28
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-28
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-43
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-34
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
4

Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-50
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-72
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
Power Controls............................................. 1-4
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-43Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using..................................................... ii
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals...................... 1-6
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-59
Midgate
®.......................................................2-12
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-52
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-49
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-56
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-54
MP3 ....................................................3-96, 3-101
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual...............................3-107
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-30
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-46
Pressure Light.............................................3-47
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-61
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-64
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-56
Power Mirrors.............................................2-54
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode....5-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-105
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-45
Shifting Out of............................................2-47
Park Aid........................................................2-58
Park Brake....................................................2-44
Parking
Assist........................................................2-58
Over Things That Burn.................................2-47
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-69
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-28
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-28
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-108
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-32
Running Boards..........................................2-22
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-36
Windows....................................................2-24
9

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-34
Safety Belts
Care of ....................................................5-102
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-19
Lap Belt.....................................................1-34
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-28
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-35
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-33
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-14
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Center Seat................................................1-11
Head Restraints..........................................1-11
Heated Seats............................................... 1-5
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-4
Memory, Mirrors and Pedals........................... 1-6
Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-4
Power Seats................................................. 1-3
Rear Seat Operation....................................1-12
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-8
Secondary Latch System.................................5-91
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-56
Rear Seat Position......................................1-53
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-56
Security Light.................................................3-47Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-43
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Service, Scheduling Appointments....................... 7-9
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-74
Setting the Clock............................................3-76
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-105
Shifting Into Park............................................2-45
Shifting Out of Park........................................2-47
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire.....................................................5-98
Installing....................................................5-85
Removing...................................................5-81
Storing.......................................................5-94
Specications, Capacities...............................5-115
Speedometer..................................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light...............................3-41
Stabilitrak®System........................................... 4-6
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-7
Starting the Engine.........................................2-32
Steering.......................................................... 4-8
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-118
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
11