2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

3-3
(Floor): This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the floor outlets and center floor
console outlets (if equipped), as well as some air
through the windshield defroster outlets and side
window defroster outlets. If air from the center floor
console outlets is not desired, turn the vents off at the
console. Recirculation will not be available in this mode.
See ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Blend): Airflow is delivered through the floor
outlets, center floor console outlets (if equipped), the
windshield defroster outlets and the side window defroster
outlets. The air flow can be divided between floor and
defrost depending upon where the knob is placed between
the settings. The air conditioning compressor may run
to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode. See
ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets with airflow
also delivered from the side window and the floor
outlets. When in defrost mode, the air conditioning
compressor may run to assist in dehumidifying the
air and limit window fogging. Recirculation will not be
available in this mode. See ªRecirculationº following
for more information.
(Outside Air): This setting should be used for
normal system operation and directs the system to use
outside air. This button is located under the fan knob.
Using outside air will limit stale air odors and help to
prevent excessively humid interior air (from wet boots
or clothing or maximum passenger loads) from being
redirected onto windows.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): This setting limits the amount
of outside air entering the vehicle to a very small
amount. This button is located under the fan knob. This
will be helpful to limit odors entering the vehicle and
will assist in reaching comfort in very high
temperatures. Pressing recirculation will cause the
system to recirculate interior air continuously and may
cause the vehicle windows to fog if the passenger
compartment floor is excessively wet.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel outside air
operation. To return to normal system operation and to
prevent stale passenger compartment air, be sure to
return to the outside air position.

3-4
Recirculation will not be available in floor, blend, or
defrost modes to help reduce window fogging. If the
recirculation button is pressed in these modes, the
LED indicator for recirculation will flash three times
indicating that forced outside is activated and
recirculation is not available.
If the air conditioning system is activated and system
demand is high in situations such as city traffic, idling,
or very hot weather, the system will automatically
switch from outside air to recirculation. The LED
indicator will not change. After demand on the system is
not so great, the system will return to outside air.
A/C (Air Conditioning): This button is used to
control the air conditioning compressor. Turning the
system on will allow air to be cooled and dehumidified
inside the vehicle.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside air temperature drops below a level at
which air conditioning is effective.
Electronic Climate Control System
(If Equipped)
Fan Knob
(Fan): The knob on the left side of the electronic
climate control panel regulates the fan speed. To manually
increase airflow, move the knob clockwise. To manually
decrease airflow, move it counterclockwise.
OFF: If the knob is in OFF, outside air will still enter
the vehicle, and will be directed based on the position of
the mode knob.

3-5
AUTO (Automatic): If the knob is in AUTO,
the fan speed will vary as the system maintains the
selected temperature.
When both the fan knob and mode knobs are in the
AUTO position, the system will then automatically
maintain the desired cabin temperature as selected
by the temperature knob. Manual operation is
also available.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select
the desired air temperature in your vehicle. This knob
will allow you to adjust the interior air temperature
independent of the function knob setting. Move the
knob clockwise toward 82 for warmer air. Move the
knob counterclockwise toward 66 for cooler air. When
the system is set for automatic operation, sensors will
control the fan speed.
Full Hot: If you turn the temperature knob past 82
F
(28
C), the system will go into the ªfull hotº mode.
The system will remain at that maximum heating setting
and the fan will blow at the speed to which the fan knob
is set. If the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.Full Cold: If you turn the temperature knob past 66
F
(19
C), the system will go into the ªfull coldº mode.
The system will remain at that maximum cooling setting
and the fan will blow at the speed to which the fan knob
is set. If the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.
Mode Knob
- Manual Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
You can choose to set the climate control system
operations yourself, or let the system work for you
by placing the system in AUTO mode. See ªMode
Knob
- Automatic Operationº later in this section.
(Vent): This setting directs most of the air through
the instrument panel outlets and a small amount through
the floor outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting delivers air through
the floor outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
(Floor): This setting directs most of the warmed
air through the floor outlets and some air through the
windshield defroster outlets. Recirculation will not be
available in this mode. See ªRecirculationº following
for more information.

3-6
(Blend): This setting divides airflow equally
between the floor outlet and the windshield defroster
outlets. The air conditioning compressor may run
to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode. See
ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Defrost): This setting directs most air through
the windshield defroster outlets and some through the
floor outlets. The air conditioning compressor may
run to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode. See
ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Outside Air): Press this button, located under
the fan knob, to use outside air. Using outside air will
limit stale air odors and help to prevent excessively
humid interior air (from wet boots or clothing or
maximum passenger loads) from being redirected
onto windows.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle to a very small
amount. This will be helpful to limit odors entering the
vehicle and will assist in reaching comfort in very hot
temperature conditions. Pressing recirculation will cause
the system to recirculate interior air continuously and
may cause the vehicle windows to fog if the passenger
compartment floor is excessively wet.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel outside air
operation. To return to normal system operation and to
prevent stale passenger compartment air, be sure to
return to the outside air position.
Recirculation will not be available in floor, blend or
defrost modes to help reduce window fogging. If the
recirculation button is pressed in theses modes, the
LED indicator for recirculation will flash three times
indicating that forced outside air is activated and
recirculation is not available.
If the air conditioning system is activated and system
demand is high in situations such as city traffic, idling,
or very hot weather, the system will automatically
switch from outside air to recirculation. The LED
indicator will not change. After demand on the system
is not so great, the system will return back to outside air.

3-7
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn
the air conditioning on and off. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle when the A/C light
is on. When in AUTO, the A/C is automatically engaged
when necessary.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside temperature drops below a level which air
conditioning is ineffective.
Mode Knob
- Automatic Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. When the system is
set in AUTO mode, sensors will control the air delivery
mode. Air will come primarily from the floor or
instrument panel outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is in AUTO mode, the air conditioning
light will turn on, and the recirculation and outside air
lights turn off. With the system in full automatic control
(both the fan and mode knobs in AUTO), you still
have the ability to override any function.However, continually overriding the outside air or the
A/C compressor will limit the ability of the system to
cool the vehicle quickly.
If you push a button for a function which is not
available, the light next to that button will flash
three times to alert you that it's not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 74
F (23
C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature if necessary.
With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool
the air. In cold weather, when the system senses the
need for heat, the airflow will be directed out the floor
outlets. As the interior temperature approaches a desired
setting, the fan speed will decrease. To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow will adjust between the instrument
panel air outlets and floor outlets. On bright sunny days
in cool weather, the airflow may come out of the air
conditioning and floor outlets (bi
-level mode) to
maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.

3-8
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 outside air temperature,
engine coolant temperature or the time since the engine
was last started. As the coolant warms up, the fan speed
will gradually increase and air will flow from the heater
outlets, with some airflow to the windshield to prevent
fogging under most normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located near the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The A/C button, below the mode knob, allows the air
coming into your vehicle to be cooled. This setting is
useful for normal cooling on hot days.
Using A/C with the recirculation setting active allows
the air inside your vehicle to be recirculated. This
setting helps to maximize your air conditioner's
performance and your vehicle's fuel economy. This
setting also cools air the fastest and can be used to keep
unwanted odors and/or dust from entering the vehicle.
When using the air conditioner, turn off the recirculation
setting and use the outside air setting after the vehicle
reaches a comfortable interior temperature. When the
right knob on the control panel is between floor and
defrost, the recirculation feature will not function to
reduce window fogging.

3-9
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger compartment
air filter which filters outside air entering the vehicle.
For information on replacing the filter see ªPassenger
Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the Floor or Bi
-Level
setting with the temperature knob in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (
-0
C) or lower, you
may experience differences in how the transmission shifts
until the engine is warm. This feature automatically
reduces the time it takes for the engine to reach normal
operating temperature and shortens the time it takes the
heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20
F (
-8
C) or lower, the
heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat
the passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use defog to keep the windshield
and side windows clear. Use defrost to remove fog or
ice from the windshield in extremely humid or cold
conditions. Use defrost with the temperature knob
toward the red area and the fan control turned all the
way to the right.
Rear Window Defogger
The lines running across the rear window, are the rear
window defogger. The lines warm the glass.
Do not remove the rear window with the rear defogger
on. You may see a discharge spark coming from
the latch area if you remove the window with the
defogger on.
To turn on the rear
window defogger, press this
button located below the
mode knob.

3-10
The rear window defogger will only work if the ignition
is in RUN. For best results, clear the window of as much
snow or ice as possible first.
The defogger will shut itself off after several minutes.
If you need additional warming time, press the button
again. You can turn the defogger off at any time by
pressing the button.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated outside mirrors,
the rear window defogger button will also activate the
heated outside mirrors.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
Your vehicle has air
outlets in the center
and on the sides of
the instrument panel.
You can move the outlets from side
-to-side or up
and down to direct the flow of air. The driver's and
passenger's side outlets can be closed. Turn the
thumbwheel to the left to shut off air flow or to the
right to allow air flow. When you close an outlet, it will
increase the flow of air coming out of any outlets that
are open. The center outlet does not completely shut
off airflow.