warning light CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2008 2.G User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know
when there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that tells you what
to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting
to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with warning lights and gages.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59
for more information.
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If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you start the engine. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed immediately.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for
more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your overhead console has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check.
Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol
to let you know the status of the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).United States
Canada
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If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-35for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition key, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for more
information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If you
must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain
to turn off all the accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
3-38

Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on, this gage shows
the battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The charging system
regulates voltage based on the state of the battery for
improved fuel economy and battery life. The gage may
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading, this is normal. Readings between the low and
high warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
The gage may also read low during the fuel economy
mode, this is normal.Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create full power. If there
is a problem with the battery charging system, this light
will come on or the SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM DIC message will display. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-59andCharging System Light
on page 3-38for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set the parking brake. If you
try to drive with the parking brake engaged, a chime
will sound when the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
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.
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This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 5-38for 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 4-42. United States
Canada
3-40

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
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 ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, your vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, your vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-39.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light should
come on briey when the
engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there may
be a problem with your StabiliTrak
®system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on,
the system is off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
This light will also ash when the StabiliTrak
®system is
active.
If the StabiliTrak
®system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
3-41

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F (100°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
uctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), may accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for more
information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-56for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then stay on solid for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-65
for more information. United States
Canada
3-42

Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel
gage, will come on briey
when you are starting
the engine.
This light and a chime will come on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. There will also be a “FUEL LEVEL LOW”
message on the Driver Information Center, seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for more
information. When you add fuel this light and message
should go off. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about your vehicle. It also
displays warning messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the tachometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The 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.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons)” later in this section and
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-66for the displays available.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, see “DIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)” later in
this section for the displays available.
3-50

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some
action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you can press any of the DIC buttons on the instrument
panel or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument
panel cluster to acknowledge that you received the
messages and to clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
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. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18for information on
how to reset the message. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the pressure in one or
more of the vehicle’s tires needs 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 the same 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. See
Tires on page 5-56,Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-36,
andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64. The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values. 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 3-42.
3-59

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect
the system for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-35andAirbag System on page 1-60for more
information.
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 3-38. 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/retailer.
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 3-39. 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/retailer.
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/retailer.
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 2-58for more information.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®and this message
displays, it means there may be a problem with the
StabiliTrak
®system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system. Stop; turn off the engine for at least
15 seconds; then start the engine again. If this message
still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your dealer/retailer for service. The vehicle is
safe to drive, however, you do not have the benet of
StabiliTrak
®, so reduce your speed and drive accordingly.
3-63