2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

6-6
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The fuel cap is located behind a hinged door on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap by the tether using
the hook located on the inside of the filler door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise).

6-7
CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for
any ªhissº noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap
all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicleº in the Index.When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp
to light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See ªMalfunction Indicator
Lampº in the Index.

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed
or on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle to
the lower left of the
steering wheel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push left
on the secondary hood release, located under the
front emblem.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are
on properly. Pull down the hood and close it firmly.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the VORTEC 5300 V8 engine you will see the following:
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Fill
E. Engine Oil DipstickF. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
G. Fan
H. Remote Negative (
-)
Terminal (GND)
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(Out of View)J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Underhood Electrical Center
M. Battery
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-11
When you open the hood on the VORTEC 8100 V8 engine you will see the following:
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transmission DipstickF. Engine Oil Fill
G. Fan
H. Remote Negative (
-)
Terminal (GND)
I. Remote Positive (+) TerminalJ. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Underhood Electrical Center
M. Battery
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-12
Engine Oil
If the CHECK ENG OIL
LEVEL light appears on
the instrument cluster,
it means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see CHECK ENG OIL LEVEL
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
5300 V8 Engine 8100 V8 Engine
The engine oil dipstick has a ring handle and is located
on the passenger's side of the vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.

6-13
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
5300 V8 Engine 8100 V8 Engine
Your vehicle may have a
cap with text and a graphic
or just a graphic as shown.
The engine oil fill cap for the 5300 V8 engines is
located on the driver's side engine valve cover. On the
8100 V8 engine, the oil fill cap is located on the front
of the engine.