2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 4WD

2-36
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case switches
are located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of
four
-wheel drive.
You can choose among four driving settings:
2HI: This setting is used for driving in most street
and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged
in two
-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best
fuel economy.
AUTO 4WD: This setting is ideal for use when road
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the
vehicle's power is sent to the rear wheels. When the
vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will
automatically engage four
-wheel drive. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.

2-37
4HI: Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as
on snowy or icy roads or in most off
-road situations.
This setting also engages your front axle to help drive
your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep sand, deep mud,
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.
NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle's transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.
See ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº or ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information.
Indicator lights in the switches show which setting your
transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on
briefly when you turn on the ignition and one will stay
on. If the lights do not come on, you should take your
vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will
flash while the transfer case is being shifted. It will
remain illuminated when the shift is complete. If for
some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested
shift, it will return to the last chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you
should take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
See ªService 4WDº in the Index for further information.

2-38
Shifting to 4HI or AUTO 4WD
Press and release the 4HI or AUTO 4WD switch.
This can be done at any speed (except when shifting
from 4LO), and the indicator light will flash while
shifting. It will remain illuminated when the shift
is completed.
Shifting to 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done
at any speed (except when shifting from 4LO).
Shifting to 4LO
To shift to 4LO, the ignition must be in RUN and the
vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph
(4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
The preferred method for shifting into 4LO is to have
your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the 4LO switch. You must wait for
the 4LO indicator light to stop flashing and remain
illuminated before shifting your transmission in gear.If the 4LO switch is pressed when your vehicle is in
gear and/or moving, the 4LO indicator light will flash
for 30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your
vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the
transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds
the transfer case will return to the setting last chosen.
Shifting Out of 4LO
To shift from 4LO to 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI your
vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph
(4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and
the ignition in RUN. The preferred method for shifting
out of 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI switch. You must wait for the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI indicator light to stop flashing and remain
illuminated before shifting your transmission into gear.
If the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI switch is pressed when
your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI indicator light will flash for 30 seconds but
will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving
less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the transmission is
in NEUTRAL (N).

2-39
Shifting to NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL, first make sure
the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
3. Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2HI.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the 2HI and 4LO
buttons for 10 seconds. The red NEUTRAL light
will come on when the transfer case shift to
NEUTRAL is complete.
7. Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one
second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D)
for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to OFF.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Release the parking brake prior to towing.Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 4LO).
4. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the red light will go out.
5. You may start the engine and shift the transmission
to the desired position.

2-121
Change Engine Oil
This message is displayed
when the engine oil needs to
be changed. The message
is only displayed for
15 seconds at the start of
each ignition cycle.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the
Engine Oil Life Monitor. See ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index.
Security
This message is
displayed when the
content theft
-deterrent
system has been activated
and also monitors the
Passlock

System.
If the security message is displayed continuously while
driving and stays on, there may be a problem with the
Passlock System. Your vehicle will not be protected by
Passlock, and you should see your GM dealer.
Service 4WD (If Equipped)
If the SERVICE 4WD
message comes on,
there may be a problem
with the automatic
transfer case and service
is required.
Malfunctions can be indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent, which may prevent serious
damage to the vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
a malfunction.

4-62
C-1500 (2WD)
EngineAxle
Ratio*Max.
Trailer Wt. **GCWR
5300 V8 3.73 7, 300 lbs.
(3 311 kg)13, 000 lbs.
(5 897 kg)
4.10 8, 300 lbs.
(3 764 kg)14, 000 lbs.
(6 350 kg)
* Weight
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15%
of hitch pulling weight 1,000 lb. (454 kg) maximum.K
-1500 (4WD)
Engine Axle
Ratio*Max.
Trailer Wt. **GCWR
5300 V8 3.73 7,100 lbs.
(3 220 kg)13, 000 lbs.
(5 897 kg)
4.10 8,100 lbs.
(3 674 kg)14, 000 lbs.
(6 350 kg)
* Weight
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15%
of hitch pulling weight 1,000 lb. (454 kg) maximum.

4-63
C-2500 (2WD)
EngineAxle
Ratio*Max. Trailer
Wt. **GCWR
8100 V8 3.73 10, 400 lbs.
(4 717 kg)17, 000 lbs.
(7 711 kg)
4.10 12, 000 lbs.
(5 443 kg)19, 000 lbs.
(8 618 kg)
* Weight
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15%
of hitch pulling weight 1,200 lb. (544 kg) maximum.
K
-2500 (4WD)
EngineAxle
Ratio*Max.
Trailer Wt. **GCWR
8100 V8 3.73 10, 100 lbs.
(4 581 kg)17, 000 lbs.
(7 711 kg)
4.10 12, 000 lbs.
(5 443 kg)19, 000 lbs.
(8 618 kg)
* Weight
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15%
of hitch weight 1,200 lb. (544 kg) maximum.**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in
the total allowable weight of the completely loaded
vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo,
equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your
vehicle should not be exceeded.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163
-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

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