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2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner's Manual - Page 304

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Manual

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Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels will not get good traction. You can not accelerate as quickly, turning is more difficult, and you will need longer braking distances. It's best to use a low gear when you are in mud - the deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle moving so you do not get stuck. When you drive on sand, you will sense a change in wheel traction. But it will depend upon how loosely packed the sand is. On loosely packed sand (as on beaches or sand dunes) your tires will tend to sink into the sand. This has an effect on steering, accelerating and braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction. On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control. On wet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you will have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get moving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide out of control. {CAUTION: Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your vehicle could fall through the ice and you and your passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle on safe surfaces only. Driving in Water Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters demand extreme caution. Find out how deep the water is before you drive through it. If it is deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles or exhaust pipe, do not try - you probably will not get through. Also, water that deep can damage your axle and other vehicle parts. If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At faster speeds, water splashes on your ignition system and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your tailpipe is under water, you will never be able to start your engine. When you go through water, remember that when your brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop. 4-32

Section	Page
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Book TOC	1
Seats and Restraint Systems	7
Front Seats	8
Manual Passenger Seat	8
Power Seats	8
Power Lumbar	9
Heated Seats	10
Reclining Seatbacks	11
Head Restraints	13
Rear Seats	13
Rear Seat Operation	13
Safety Belts	15
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	15
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	20
Driver Position	20
Right Front Passenger Position	28
Center Front Passenger Position	28
Rear Seat Passengers	30
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	33
Safety Belt Extender	35
Child Restraints	36
Older Children	36
Infants and Young Children	38
Child Restraint Systems	42
Where to Put the Restraint	44
Top Strap	45
Top Strap Anchor Location	47
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	47
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position	49
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position	51
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	52
Air Bag Systems	56
Where Are the Air Bags?	59
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	61
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	63
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	63
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	64
Passenger Sensing System	65
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	70
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	70
Restraint System Check	71
Checking Your Restraint Systems	71
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	72
Features and Controls	73
Keys	75
Remote Keyless Entry System	76
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	77
Doors and Locks	80
Door Locks	80
Power Door Locks	81
Delayed Locking	81
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	82
Rear Door Security Locks	84
Lockout Protection	84
Midgate	85
Tailgate	94
Windows	96
Power Windows	97
Sun Visors	97
Theft-Deterrent Systems	98
Content Theft-Deterrent	98
Passlock®	100
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	100
New Vehicle Break-In	100
Ignition Positions	101
Starting Your Engine	102
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal	103
Engine Coolant Heater	103
Automatic Transmission Operation	105
Four-Wheel Drive	108
Parking Brake	113
Shifting Into Park (P)	114
Shifting Out of Park (P)	117
Parking Over Things That Burn	117
Engine Exhaust	118
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	118
Mirrors	120
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display	120
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display	123
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors	126
Outside Power Mirrors	126
Outside Convex Mirror	127
Outside Heated Mirrors	128
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View Assist	128
OnStar® System	129
HomeLink® Transmitter	131
Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter	131
Storage Areas	135
Glove Box	135
Center Overhead Console	135
Front Armrest Storage Area	135
Center Console Storage Area	135
Luggage Carrier	135
Rear Storage Area	136
Cargo Cover Panels	137
All-Weather Cargo Area	147
Top-Box Storage	152
Tonneau Cover	153
Sunroof	159
Vehicle Personalization	160
Memory Seat	160
Instrument Panel	163
Instrument Panel Overview	166
Hazard Warning Flashers	168
Other Warning Devices	169
Horn	169
Tilt Wheel	169
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	170
Exterior Lamps	176
Interior Lamps	181
Accessory Power Outlets	183
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	183
Climate Controls	184
Automatic Climate Control System	184
Dual Climate Control System	190
Outlet Adjustment	192
Climate Controls Personalization	192
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	193
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators	193
Instrument Panel Cluster	194
Speedometer and Odometer	195
Tachometer	195
Safety Belt Reminder Light	195
Air Bag Readiness Light	195
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator	197
Charging System Light	198
Voltmeter Gage	199
Brake System Warning Light	199
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	201
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light	201
Traction Off Light	202
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	203
Transmission Temperature Gage	203
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	205
Oil Pressure Gage	208
Security Light	209
Cruise Control Light	209
Tow/Haul Mode Light	209
Fuel Gage	210
Low Fuel Warning Light	210
Driver Information Center (DIC)	211
DIC Operation and Displays	212
DIC Warnings and Messages	222
Audio System(s)	230
Setting the Time	231
Radio with CD	231
Radio with Six-Disc CD	242
Rear Seat Entertainment System	256
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)	267
Theft-Deterrent Feature	268
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	269
DVD Distortion	269
Radio Reception	270
Care of Your CDs and DVDs	270
Care of Your CD and DVD Player	270
Cleaning the Video Screen	270
Fixed Mast Antenna	271
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System (48 Contiguous US States)	271
Chime Level Adjustment	271
Driving Your Vehicle	273
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	274
Defensive Driving	274
Drunken Driving	274
Control of a Vehicle	277
Braking	278
Traction Assist System (TAS)	281
Locking Rear Axle	283
Stabilitrak® System	283
Steering	286
Off-Road Recovery	288
Passing	288
Loss of Control	290
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle	291
Driving at Night	306
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	307
City Driving	310
Freeway Driving	311
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	312
Highway Hypnosis	313
Hill and Mountain Roads	314
Winter Driving	316
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	320
Towing	323
Towing Your Vehicle	323
Recreational Vehicle Towing	323
Loading Your Vehicle	326
Level Control	332
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment	333
Truck-Camper Loading Information	337
Trailer Recommendations	337
Towing a Trailer	338
Service and Appearance Care	353
Service	355
Doing Your Own Service Work	355
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	356
Fuel	356
Gasoline Octane	356
Gasoline Specifications	357
California Fuel	357
Additives	358
Fuels in Foreign Countries	358
Filling Your Tank	359
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	361
Checking Things Under the Hood	361
Hood Release	362
Engine Compartment Overview	364
Engine Oil	368
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	373
Automatic Transmission Fluid	375
Engine Coolant	378
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap	381
Engine Overheating	381
Cooling System	384
Engine Fan Noise	390
Power Steering Fluid	390
Windshield Washer Fluid	392
Brakes	393
Battery	396
Jump Starting	397
Rear Axle	404
Four-Wheel Drive	405
Front Axle	406
Bulb Replacement	407
Halogen Bulbs	407
Headlamps	407
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps	410
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime Running Lamps	411
Daytime Running Lamps	413
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	413
Taillamps	413
Replacement Bulbs	414
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	415
Tires	416
Inflation - Tire Pressure	424
Tire Pressure Monitor System	425
Tire Inspection and Rotation	428
When It Is Time for New Tires	429
Buying New Tires	430
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	431
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	432
Wheel Replacement	432
Tire Chains	434
If a Tire Goes Flat	435
Changing a Flat Tire	436
Spare Tire	455
Appearance Care	456
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	456
Care of Safety Belts	459
Weatherstrips	459
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	459
Sheet Metal Damage	462
Finish Damage	462
Underbody Maintenance	462
Chemical Paint Spotting	462
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	463
Vehicle Identification	464
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	464
Service Parts Identification Label	465
Electrical System	465
Windshield Wiper Fuses	465
Power Windows and Other Power Options	465
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	466
Capacities and Specifications	474
Maintenance Schedule	477
Maintenance Schedule	478
Introduction	478
Maintenance Requirements	478
Your Vehicle and the Environment	478
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	479
Scheduled Maintenance	480
Additional Required Services	482
Maintenance Footnotes	484
Owner Checks and Services	485
At Each Fuel Fill	485
At Least Once a Month	486
At Least Once a Year	486
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	489
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	491
Maintenance Record	492
Customer Assistance and Information	495
Customer Assistance and Information	496
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	496
Online Owner Center	497
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	498
Customer Assistance Offices	498
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	499
Roadside Assistance Program	500
Courtesy Transportation	501
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records	503
Reporting Safety Defects	504
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	504
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	505
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	505
Service Publications Ordering Information	505

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice

When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels will

not get good traction. You can not accelerate as

quickly, turning is more difficult, and you will need longer

braking distances.

It’s best to use a low gear when you are in mud — the

deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep

mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle moving so you do

not get stuck.

When you drive on sand, you will sense a change in

wheel traction. But it will depend upon how loosely

packed the sand is. On loosely packed sand (as on

beaches or sand dunes) your tires will tend to sink into

the sand. This has an effect on steering, accelerating and

braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns

or abrupt maneuvers.

Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.

On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control.

On wet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you

will have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get

moving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause

you to slide out of control.

{

CAUTION:

Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be

dangerous. Underwater springs, currents

under the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the

ice. Your vehicle could fall through the ice and

you and your passengers could drown. Drive

your vehicle on safe surfaces only.

Driving in Water

Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters

demand extreme caution.

Find out how deep the water is before you drive through

it. If it is deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles or

exhaust pipe, do not try — you probably will not get

through. Also, water that deep can damage your axle and

other vehicle parts.

If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At

faster speeds, water splashes on your ignition system

and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you

get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your

tailpipe is under water, you will never be able to start your

engine. When you go through water, remember that when

your brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.

4-32