2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

2-13
Midgate
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area
covered and the tailgate and Midgate open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the cargo area covered
and the tailgate and Midgate open or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and
the Midgate:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on OUTSIDE AIR. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Midgate Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with a Midgate and a removable
rear glass panel. The Midgate allows you to extend the
length of your vehicle's cargo area.
The following are the main components of the
Midgate system:
A. Latch Levers
B. Grab Handles
C. Glass
-Catch
Release ButtonD. Glass Lock Knobs
E. Window Retaining Tabs
F. Midgate Release Handle
G. Window Alignment Arrows

2-14
Rear Glass Removal and Storage
CAUTION:
If the removable rear glass is not stored properly,
it could be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or
sudden maneuver. People in the vehicle could be
injured. Whenever you store the rear glass in the
vehicle, always be sure that it is stored securely in
the Midgate storage pocket.
Do not remove the rear glass when the rear defroster
is on. If you remove the rear glass with the rear defroster
on, you may see a discharge spark coming from the
latch area.
To remove the rear glass do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. See ªRear Seatsº in the Index
for more information. The front seats will have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to
fold completely.
Although the rear glass can be removed without
folding the rear seats, you will not be able to access
the rear glass storage pocket. Be sure to fold the
seats before removing the rear glass.

2-15
2. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A), located
near the upper corners of the rear glass, so they
unlatch. After both latch levers are unlatched, the
glass
-catch release button (C) will ªcatchº the
rear glass and prevent it from falling forward.
Follow the next step to release the button and
remove the rear glass.
3. While holding the rear glass in place, press the
glass
-catch release button and pull the top of the
rear glass toward you using the grab handle(s) (B)
located at the top of the rear glass.

2-16
4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out
from the lower window frame channel. Use the grab
handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.
5. Load the rear glass in its storage pocket in the
midgate using the lower edge of the rear glass to
guide it behind the three rear glass retaining tabs (E).
Hold the rear glass flat against the storage pocket
(with grab handles facing you) until the next step.

2-17
6. Turn both glass lock knobs (D), located at both top
corners of the storage pocket, to the locked position.
You may need to push the corner of the rear glass to
allow the lock knob to engage more easily.Once both glass lock knobs are in the locked
position, the rear glass is securely stored.
7. Push both latch levers up to the locked position.
You should hear a click when each latch lever
locks correctly.
Rear seats can be returned to the normal position
when the rear glass is out and stored properly in the
storage pocket.

2-18
Reinstalling the Rear Glass
To reinstall the rear glass, do the following:
1. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers, located near
the upper corners of the rear glass, so they unlatch.
2. Hold the rear glass in place with one hand and turn
the glass lock knobs, located at both top corners of
the glass storage pocket to the unlocked position.
3. Pull the rear glass out from the storage pocket using
the grab handles.
4. With the rear glass tilted at an angle, place the
bottom edge in the lower channel of the window
frame applying a slight downward pressure and then
push the rear glass flat against the window frame.
Use the grab handles at the top of the rear glass to
assist you.

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5. Be sure to align the
rear glass side
-to-side
using the alignment
arrows (G) as shown
in the picture.
6. Use one hand to push the rear glass flat against the
window frame and with your free hand push each
latch lever up until it locks. You should hear a click
when each latch lever locks correctly.

2-20
Lowering the Midgate
The Midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area
of your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear glass
can be either installed in its normal position, or it can
be removed and stored in the rear glass storage pocket.
To lower the Midgate, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats will have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats
to fold. See ªRear Seatsº in the Index for
more information.
At this point you may choose to remove the rear
glass following the instructions given previously
or leave the rear glass in place.
Rear Glass in Normal Position
2. Standing outside of the vehicle, place one hand
against the Midgate so it does not fall forward
unexpectedly. Turn the Midgate handle clockwise
and pull the Midgate toward you.