2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE SECTION 6

1-32
To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until
the belt is snug.
Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap
-shoulder belt. If the belt isn't long enough,
see ªSafety Belt Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.
Rear Seat Passengers
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

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Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap
-shoulder belts.
Here's how to wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way,
it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way
and start again.
If the belt is not long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

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4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in ªRear Seat Outside Passenger Positionsº
earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder
belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze
the belt edges together so that you can take them out
of the guides. Attach the guide onto the storage clip.
Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in every
Canadian province says children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.
Infants and Young Children
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by the
appropriate restraint. Young children should not use
the vehicle's safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Keyless Entry System
2
-13 Midgate
2
-23 Tailgate
2
-24 Theft
2
-25 Content Theft-Deterrent
2
-26 Passlock

2-27 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-27 Ignition Positions
2
-29 Starting Your Engine
2
-30 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-32 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-35 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-40 Parking Brake
2
-41 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-43 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-44 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-44 Engine Exhaust
2
-45 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-46 Locking Rear Axle
2
-46 Horn
2
-47 Tilt Wheel
2
-47 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-53 Exterior Lamps
2
-58 Interior Lamps
2
-59 Mirrors
2
-64 Storage Compartments
2
-66 Tonneau Cover (If Equipped)
2
-73 Cargo Cover Panels (If Equipped)
2
-91 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-98 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-100 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-101 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-116 Message Center

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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
flash. A chime will activate when the parking brake is
applied and the vehicle is moved at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
for at least three seconds.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

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Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the radio speaker grill.
Be sure it is not covered or the system will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights
does not affect the system. The DRL and automatic
headlamp system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
the delay.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is
off. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See ªDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)º later
in this section for more information.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on, the driver's
door is opened and your ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY. To turn the chime off, turn the knob all
the way to the left or turn the instrument panel dimmer
down to the fully dimmed position. In the automatic
mode, the headlamps turn off once the ignition key is
in OFF.

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3. When the HomeLink indicator light begins to blink
slowly (this may take up to 30 seconds), hold the
hand
-held transmitter about 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm)
away from HomeLink and then press and hold the
transmit button on the hand
-held transmitter.
Continue to hold both buttons until the indicator
light on HomeLink begins to flash rapidly
(this may take up to 90 seconds).
If you have trouble programming HomeLink, make
sure that you have followed the directions exactly as
described and that the battery in the hand
-held
transmitter is not weak. If you still cannot program it,
move the hand
-held transmitter to the left or right or
forward or backward or flip it upside down. HomeLink
may not work with older garage door openers that do
not meet current Federal Consumer Safety Standards.
If you cannot program the transmitter after repeated
attempts, refer to ªTraining a Garage Door Opener
with Rolling Codesº later in this section or contact
the manufacturer of HomeLink at 1
-800-355-3515,
or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
Be sure to keep the original hand
-held transmitter in
case you need to erase and reprogram HomeLink.
Training a Garage Door Opener with a
ªRolling Codeº Feature (If Equipped)
If you have not previously programmed the hand-held
transmitter to HomeLink, see ªProgramming the
HomeLink Transmitterº listed previously. If you have
completed this programming already, you now need to
train the garage door opener motor head unit to
recognize HomeLink.
1. Find the Learn or Smart button on the garage door
opener motor head unit. The exact location and color
will vary by garage door opener brand. If you have
difficulty finding the Learn or Smart button, refer to
your garage door opener owner's manual or contact
the manufacturer of HomeLink at 1
-800-355-3515,
or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
Because of the steps involved, it may be helpful
to have another person assist in programming
the transmitter.
2. Press the Learn or Smart button on the garage
door opener motor head unit. An indicator light will
begin to flash when the motor head unit enters the
training mode.
Following this step, you have 30 seconds to
start Step 3.