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2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner's Manual - Page 64

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Manual

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When Should an Air Bag Inflate? Frontal Air Bags The driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact speed is above the system's designed "threshold level." In addition, your vehicle has "dual stage" frontal air bags, which adjust the amount of restraint according to crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these air bags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 10 to 16 mph (16 to 25 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation would not help the occupant. Seat Position Sensors Vehicles with dual stage air bags are also equipped with special sensors which enable the sensing system to monitor the position of both the driver and passenger front seats. The seat position sensor provides information which is used to determine if the air bags should deploy at a reduced level or at full depoyment. Side Impact Air Bags Your vehicle may or may not have a side impact air bag. See Air Bag Systems on page 1-52. Side impact air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's designed "threshold level." The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. 1-57

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Front Seats	9
Manual Passenger Seat	9
Power Seats	9
Power Lumbar	10
Heated Seats	11
Reclining Seatbacks	12
Head Restraints	14
Rear Seats	15
Rear Seat Operation	15
Safety Belts	17
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	17
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	21
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	23
Driver Position	23
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	30
Right Front Passenger Position	31
Center Passenger Position	31
Rear Seat Passengers	33
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	36
Safety Belt Extender	38
Child Restraints	39
Older Children	39
Infants and Young Children	41
Child Restraint Systems	45
Where to Put the Restraint	48
Top Strap	49
Top Strap Anchor Location	50
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	50
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position	52
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position	54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	55
Air Bag Systems	59
Where Are the Air Bags?	61
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	64
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	65
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	65
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	66
Passenger Sensing System	68
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	72
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	72
Restraint System Check	73
Checking Your Restraint Systems	73
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	73
Features and Controls	74
Keys	76
Remote Keyless Entry System	77
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	78
Doors and Locks	80
Door Locks	80
Power Door Locks	81
Delayed Locking	81
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	81
Rear Door Security Locks	84
Lockout Protection	85
Midgate	85
Tailgate	94
Windows	96
Power Windows	97
Sun Visors	97
Theft-Deterrent Systems	98
Content Theft-Deterrent	98
Passlock	99
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	100
New Vehicle Break-In	100
Ignition Positions	100
Starting Your Engine	101
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal	102
Engine Coolant Heater	103
Automatic Transmission Operation	104
Four-Wheel Drive	107
Parking Brake	111
Shifting Into Park (P)	112
Shifting Out of Park (P)	114
Parking Over Things That Burn	115
Engine Exhaust	116
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	116
Mirrors	118
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar, Compass and Temperature Display	118
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display	120
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors	123
Outside Power Mirrors	123
Outside Convex Mirror	124
Outside Heated Mirrors	124
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View Assist	125
OnStar System	126
HomeLink Transmitter	128
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter	128
Storage Areas	132
Glove Box	132
Center Overhead Console	132
Front Armrest Storage Area	132
Center Console Storage Area	132
Luggage Carrier	133
Rear Storage Area	134
Cargo Cover Panels	134
All-Weather Cargo Area	145
Top-Box Storage	150
Tonneau Cover	150
Sunroof	157
Vehicle Personalization	158
Memory Seat	158
Instrument Panel	160
Instrument Panel Overview	163
Hazard Warning Flashers	165
Other Warning Devices	165
Horn	166
Tilt Wheel	166
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	166
Exterior Lamps	172
Interior Lamps	176
Accessory Power Outlets	178
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	178
Climate Controls	179
Electronic Climate Control System	179
Dual Climate Control System	185
Outlet Adjustment	187
Climate Controls Personalization	188
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	189
Instrument Panel Cluster	190
Speedometer and Odometer	191
Tachometer	191
Safety Belt Reminder Light	191
Air Bag Readiness Light	191
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator	192
Charging System Light	194
Voltmeter Gage	194
Brake System Warning Light	195
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	196
Traction Off Light	197
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	198
Transmission Temperature Gage	198
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	199
Oil Pressure Gage	202
Security Light	203
Cruise Control Light	203
Tow/Haul Mode Light	203
Fuel Gage	204
Low Fuel Warning Light	204
Driver Information Center (DIC)	205
DIC Operation and Displays	205
DIC Warnings and Messages	215
Audio System(s)	223
Setting the Time	223
Radio with CD	224
Radio with Six-Disc CD	235
Rear Seat Entertainment System	249
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)	258
Theft-Deterrent Feature	260
DVD Distortion	260
Understanding Radio Reception	260
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	261
Care of Your CDs and DVDs	262
Care of Your CD and DVD Player	262
Cleaning the Video Screen	263
Fixed Mast Antenna	263
XM Satellite Radio Antenna System	263
DAB Radio Antenna System	263
Driving Your Vehicle	264
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	265
Defensive Driving	265
Drunken Driving	266
Control of a Vehicle	269
Braking	269
Traction Assist System (TAS)	272
Locking Rear Axle	274
Stabilitrak System	274
Steering	277
Off-Road Recovery	279
Passing	279
Loss of Control	281
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle	282
Driving at Night	295
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	296
City Driving	299
Freeway Driving	300
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	301
Highway Hypnosis	302
Hill and Mountain Roads	302
Winter Driving	304
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	308
Towing	311
Towing Your Vehicle	311
Recreational Vehicle Towing	311
Loading Your Vehicle	314
Level Control	316
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment	317
Truck-Camper Loading Information	320
Trailer Recommendations	321
Towing a Trailer	321
Service and Appearance Care	334
Service	336
Doing Your Own Service Work	337
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	337
Fuel	338
Gasoline Octane	338
Gasoline Specifications	338
California Fuel	339
Additives	339
Fuels in Foreign Countries	340
Filling Your Tank	340
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	342
Checking Things Under the Hood	343
Hood Release	343
Engine Compartment Overview	345
Engine Oil	348
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	352
Automatic Transmission Fluid	355
Engine Coolant	357
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap	360
Engine Overheating	360
Cooling System	363
Engine Fan Noise	369
Power Steering Fluid	369
Windshield Washer Fluid	371
Brakes	372
Battery	375
Jump Starting	376
Rear Axle	382
Four-Wheel Drive	383
Bulb Replacement	385
Halogen Bulbs	385
Headlamps	385
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps	387
Daytime Running Lamps	388
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	388
Taillamps	388
Replacement Bulbs	389
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	390
Tires	391
Inflation -- Tire Pressure	392
Tire Inspection and Rotation	392
When It Is Time for New Tires	394
Buying New Tires	394
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	395
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	397
Wheel Replacement	397
Tire Chains	398
If a Tire Goes Flat	399
Changing a Flat Tire	400
Spare Tire	417
Appearance Care	418
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	418
Care of Safety Belts	421
Weatherstrips	421
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	421
Sheet Metal Damage	423
Finish Damage	423
Underbody Maintenance	424
Chemical Paint Spotting	424
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	424
Vehicle Identification	426
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	426
Service Parts Identification Label	426
Electrical System	427
Windshield Wiper Fuses	427
Power Windows and Other Power Options	427
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	428
Capacities and Specifications	437
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	439
Maintenance Schedule	440
Maintenance Schedule	441
Introduction	441
Your Vehicle and the Environment	441
Maintenance Requirements	441
How This Section is Organized	442
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	443
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	443
Scheduled Maintenance	444
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	449
At Each Fuel Fill	449
At Least Once a Month	449
At Least Twice a Year	450
At Least Once a Year	451
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	454
Steering and Suspension Inspection	454
Exhaust System Inspection	454
Fuel System Inspection	454
Engine Cooling System Inspection	455
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive) Inspection	455
Brake System Inspection	455
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	456
Part E: Maintenance Record	458
Customer Assistance Information	462
Customer Assistance Information	463
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	463
Online Owner Center	465
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	465
Customer Assistance Offices	465
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	466
Roadside Assistance Program	467
Courtesy Transportation	468
Reporting Safety Defects	471
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	471
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	471
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	472
Service Publications Ordering Information	472

Match case Limit results 1 per page

When

Should

Air

Bag

Inflate?

Frontal

Air

Bags

The

driver’s

and

right

front passenger’s frontal air bags

are

designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal

or near-frontal

crashes. But they are designed to inflate

only

the

impact

speed is above the system’s

designed

“threshold

level.”

In addition,

your

vehicle has “dual stage” frontal air

bags,

which

adjust

the

amount

restraint according to

crash

severity.

For

moderate frontal impacts, these

air

bags

inflate

a level less than full deployment.

For

severe frontal impacts, full deployment

occurs.

the

front of your

vehicle

goes

straight

into

wall that

doesn’t

move

deform, the threshold level for the

reduced

deployment is about 10 to 16 mph

(16 to 25 km/h), and the threshold level for

a full

deployment is about

20 to 25

mph (32 to

km/h). The

threshold level can vary,

however,

with

specific

vehicle

design,

that

it can be somewhat

above

below this range.

your vehicle

strikes

something that

will

move

deform,

such

parked

car, the threshold level will be

higher.

The

driver’s

and right front passenger’s frontal

air

bags

are

not

designed to inflate in rollovers,

rear

impacts, or in many

side impacts because inflation

would

not

help the occupant.

Seat Position Sensors

Vehicles with

dual

stage

air bags are also equipped with

special sensors

which

enable the sensing system to

monitor the position of both the driver and passenger

front seats. The seat position sensor provides

information which is used

determine

the air bags

should deploy at a reduced level or at full depoyment.

Side Impact

Air

Bags

Your vehicle may

may

not have a side impact air

bag.

See

Air

Bag

Systems

page

1-52.

Side impact air

bags are designed to inflate

moderate to severe

side crashes.

side impact air bag will inflate

the crash severity is above the system’s designed

“threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with

specific vehicle design.

Side

impact air bags are

not designed to inflate in frontal

or near-frontal impacts,

rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not

help the occupant.

side impact air bag will only deploy

on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

1-57