2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE brake

6-33
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
filled with DOT
-3
brake fluid. See
ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the
Index for the location
of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that
fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won't work well,
or won't work at all.So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
See ªChecking Brake Fluidº in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check your brake fluid. See ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspectionsº in the Index.

6-34
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above MIN. If it isn't, have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.

6-35
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to
be replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
fluid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make
a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.

6-36
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you need new ones put in
-- be sure you
get new approved GM replacement parts. If you don't,
your brakes may no longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you've come to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.

6-51
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.

6-52 Tire Chains
CAUTION:
If your vehicle is a 1500 Series, don't use tire
chains. They can damage your vehicle because
there's not enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle
and tire size combination and road conditions.
Follow that manufacturer's instructions. To help
avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust
or remove the device if it's contacting your vehicle,
and don't spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the rear tires.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle is a 2500 Series, use tire chains
only where legal and only when you must.
Use chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle.
Don't use chains on tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions. If you
can hear the chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.

6-65
NAME Usage
CRUISE Cruise Control, Instrument Cluster
IGN 3 Ignition, Power Seats
4WD Four
-Wheel Drive System,
Auxiliary Battery
CRANK Starting System
INT PRK Interior Lamps
L DOOR Power Door Lock Relay
BRAKE Anti
-Lock Brake System
RR WIPER Not Used
ILLUM Interior Lamps, Cargo Lamps
SEAT Power Seat Circuit Breaker
TURN Exterior Lamps, Turn Signals,
Hazard Lamps
UNLOCK Power Door Locks
HTR A/C Climate Control SystemNAME Usage
WS WPR Windshield Wipers
IGN 1 Ignition, Instrument Panel
AIR BAG Air Bag
MIR/LOCK Power Mirrors, Power Door Locks
DR LOCK Power Door Locks
PWR WDO Power Window Circuit Breaker
UNLOCK Power Door Lock Relay
IGN 0 PRND321 Display, Odometer,
VCM/PCM
SEO IGN Special Equipment Option, Ignition
SEO ACCY Special Equipment Option Accessory
RAP #1 Retained Accessory Power Relay
RDO 1 Audio System
RAP #2 Rear Power Windows,
Sunroof, Radio

6-66
Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
The center instrument panel utility block is located
underneath the instrument panel, to the left of the
steering column.
Relay Name Usage
SEO Special Equipment Option
HTD ST Heated Seats
SPARE Not UsedRelay Name Usage
VANITY Headliner Wiring
TRAILER Trailer Brake Wiring
PWR ST Power Seats
SPARE Not Used
UPF Upfitter
PARK LAMP Parking Lamps
*FRT PRK EXPT Not Used
SPARE 2 Not Used
PUDDLE LP Puddle Lamps
SL RIDE Not Used
SPARE 3 Not Used
INADV PWR Interior Lamps Feed
CTSY LP Courtesy Lamps
CEL PHONE Cellular Telephone Wiring