tow CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2013 2.G Owner's Guide

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Instruments and Controls 5-35
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 5‑17. 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.
Brake System Messages
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays along with
the brake system warning light if
there is a problem with the brake
system. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑20. 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 TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays and a chime
sounds when there is a problem
with the ITBC system.
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull your vehicle over to
the side of the road and turn the
ignition off. Check the wiring
connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. If this message still
displays, either your vehicle or the
trailer needs service. See your
dealer.
See
“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑67 for more
information.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a
chime sounds if the driver door is
not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). 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.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
5-42 Instruments and Controls
Transmission Messages
GRADE BRAKING DISABLED
This message displays when the
grade braking has been disabled
with the tow/haul mode button on
the end of the shift lever. SeeTow/
Haul Mode on page 9‑33, Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑29, and
Cruise Control on page 9‑47.
GRADE BRAKING ENABLED
This message displays when the
grade braking has been enabled
with the tow/haul mode button on
the end of the shift lever. See Tow/
Haul Mode on page 9‑33, Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑29, and
Cruise Control on page 9‑47.
GRADE BRAKING ON
This message displays when the
grade braking has been activated
while driving on downhill grades.
This message will only appear the
first time the feature is activated in
an ignition cycle. See Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑33, Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑29, and
Cruise Control on page 9‑47.
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
If the vehicle has four-wheel
drive, this message may display
if a problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the
LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then 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
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice: Do not drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument cluster and/or
DIC, or the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty.
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and
the chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Instruments and Controls 5-43
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes. As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull the vehicle over to the
side of the road and turn the ignition
off. Check the wiring connection to
the trailer and turn the ignition back
on. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. If this
message still displays, either the
vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer.
See
“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑67 for more
information.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays briefly when
a trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle. This message clears itself after
several seconds. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. After
this message clears, the TRAILER
GAIN/OUTPUT display appears in
the DIC.
See
“TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑25 and“Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑67 for
more information.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low. Fill
the windshield washer fluid reservoir
as soon as possible. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5 for the location of the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Also, see Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21 for more information.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
6-2 Lighting
The exterior lamp control has four
positions:
P(Off):Turns off the automatic
headlamps and daytime running
lamps (DRL). Turn the headlamp
control to the off position again to
turn the automatic headlamps or
DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
the off position will only work when
the vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
AUTO (Automatic): Automatically
turns on the headlamps at normal
brightness, together with the
following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps When the vehicle is turned off and
the headlamps are in AUTO, the
headlamps may automatically
remain on for a set time. The time of
the delay can be changed using the
DIC. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑25.
;(Parking Lamps): Turns on the
parking lamps together with the
following:
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps): Turns on the
headlamps together with the
following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps When the headlamps are turned
on while the vehicle is on, the
headlamps turn off automatically
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off,
the headlamps will stay on for
10 minutes before automatically
turning off to prevent the battery
from being drained. Turn the
headlamp control to off and then
back to the headlamp on position to
make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction
lever toward the instrument panel to
change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Lighting 6-3
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime
sounds when the headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned
on and the key is out of the ignition.
To turn off the chime, turn the
exterior lamp control to off or AUTO
and then back on, or close and
re-open the door. In the AUTO
mode, the headlamps turn off once
the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or
remains on until the headlamp delay
ends (if enabled in the DIC). See
“Exit Lighting”underVehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑44.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
5 3
(Headlamp High/Low Beam
Changer): To change the
headlamps from low to high beam,
push the turn signal lever toward
the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, pull the lever
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, this
indicator light on the instrument
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
Use your high-beam headlamps to
signal to a driver in front that you
want to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low beam,
the high-beam headlamps turn on.
They stay on as long as the lever is
held. The high-beam indicator on
the instrument panel cluster comes
on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
.The transmission is not in Park.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on,
only the DRL lamps are on. The
taillamps, sidemarker, instrument
panel lights, and other lamps will not
be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Lighting 6-5
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control
to
Por;to disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flashers):
Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on
and off. Press again to turn the
flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers
are on, the vehicle's turn signals will
not work.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the turn signal lever all the
way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal
a lane change. The turn signals
automatically flash three times.
It will flash six times if the
tow-haul mode is active. Holding
the turn signal lever for more than
one second causes the turn signals
to flash until the lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released. If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If the bulb is not burned
out, check the fuse. See
Instrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 10‑39
and Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑34.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime
sounds at each flash of the turn
signal and the message TURN
SIGNAL ON also appears in the
DIC. See Lamp Messages on
page 5‑38. To turn the chime and
message off, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Infotainment System 7-45
Tips and Troubleshooting Chart (cont'd)
ProblemRecommended Action
Sometimes the wireless headphone audio cuts out or
buzzes. Check for obstructions, low batteries, reception range,
and interference from cellular telephone towers, or use a
cellular telephone in the vehicle.
Check that the headphones are on correctly using the L
(left) and R (right) on the headphones.
The remote and/or the headphones are lost. See your dealer for assistance.
The DVD is playing, but there is no picture or sound. Check that the RSE video screen is sourced to the DVD player.
DVD Display Error Messages
The DVD display error message
depends on the radio that is in the
vehicle. The video screen can
display one of the following:
Disc Load/Eject Error:This
message displays when there are
disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error: This message
displays if the disc is inserted with
the disc label wrong side up, or if
the disc is damaged. Disc Region Error:
This message
displays if the disc is not from a
correct region.
No Disc Inserted: This message
displays if no disc is present when
ZDVD or DVD/CD AUX is
pressed on the radio.
DVD Distortion
Video distortion can occur when
operating cellular phones, scanners,
CB radios, Global Position Systems
(GPS)*, two-way radios, mobile fax
machines, or walkie talkies. It might be necessary to turn off the
DVD player when operating one of
these devices in or near the vehicle.
*Excludes the OnStar
®System.
Cleaning the RSE Overhead
Console
When cleaning the RSE overhead
console surface, use only a clean
cloth dampened with clean water.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
8-2 Climate Controls
A(Fan Control):Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the direction of the airflow
inside the vehicle. The knob can be
positioned between two modes, for
a combination of those modes.
To change the current mode, select
one of the following:
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
-(Defog):
The defog mode is
used to clear the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield, floor outlets, and side
window vents. In this mode, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is
close to freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in
the defog mode.
0(Defrost): The defrost mode is
used to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. Air is
directed to the windshield and side
window vents, with some directed to
the floor vents. In this mode, the
system automatically forces outside
air into the vehicle. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode. The air
conditioning compressor runs automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):
Press this
button to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light
comes on to show that the air
conditioning is on. The air
conditioning can be selected in any
mode as long as the fan control
is on.
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so a
small amount of water might drip
under the vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is
normal.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
8-6 Climate Controls
2. Set the driver and passengertemperature.
To find your comfort setting, start
with a 23°C (74°F) temperature
setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to
regulate. Use the driver or
passenger temperature buttons
to adjust the temperature setting
as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 15°C (60°F) is chosen,
the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting. If a
temperature setting of 32°C
(90°F) is chosen, the system
remains at the maximum heat
setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature
based on sun load and also turns
on the headlamps. For more
information on the solar sensor, see
“Sensors” later in this section. To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system will delay
turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch will override this delay and
change the fan to a selected speed.
Manual Operation
D C(Fan Control):
Press these
buttons to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while in
automatic control places the fan
under manual control. The fan
setting remains displayed and the
AUTO light turns off. The air
delivery mode remains under
automatic control.
H G(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press these buttons to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press either button until
the desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing either mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning the system on. Pressing either mode
button while in automatic control
places the mode under manual
control.
The air delivery mode setting will be
displayed and the AUTO light turns
off. The fan remains under
automatic control.
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some to the
windshield, side window outlets, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents. In
this mode, the system turns off

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-10
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-12
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-14
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-20
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Active Fuel Management
®. . . 9-28
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-29
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive (Two SpeedAutomatic
Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Four-Wheel Drive (Single Speed Automatic
Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-42
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Automatic Level Control . . . . . 9-46
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-49
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-55
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-56
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56