brake CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2008 2.G Manual Online

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-64. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-80.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-70.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-44.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
6-10

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-44.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-11

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding
ability: With the engine running and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Hood Support Gas Strut Service
Visually inspect gas strut for signs of wear, corrosion,
cracks, loss of lubricant, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of gas strut. If necessary, replace
with genuine parts from your dealer/retailer.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front AxleSAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021671,
in Canada 89021672).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
6-13

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

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

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-118
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-120
Audio System(s).............................................3-78
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-35
B
Battery..........................................................5-41
Electric Power Management..........................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-19
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-38
System Warning Light..................................3-39
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-30
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-50
License Plate Lamps....................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-72
C
Calibration.............................................2-49, 2-52
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-115
Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-22, 2-48, 4-31
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-102
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-85
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-73
CD, MP3 .............................................3-96, 3-101
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-71
Center Overhead Console................................2-71
Center Seat...................................................1-11
Chains, Tire...................................................5-78
Charging System Light....................................3-38
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-46
Older Children.............................................1-35
2

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-57
Lamps
Dome ........................................................3-18
Dome Lamp Override...................................3-18
Exterior Cargo.............................................3-17
Reading.....................................................3-18
Lap Belt........................................................1-34
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-28
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-46
Level Control..................................................4-46
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-54
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-35
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning...........3-41
Brake System Warning.................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-38
Cruise Control.............................................3-48Light (cont.)
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-48
Highbeam On.............................................3-48
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-50
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-43
Oil Pressure...............................................3-47
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-34
Security.....................................................3-47
StabiliTrak
®Indicator....................................3-41
Tire Pressure..............................................3-42
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-48
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-18
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-36
Locking Rear Axle............................................ 4-5
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door ..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door ................................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-11
7

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