2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE engine

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-54
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-53
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-29
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-69, 3-80
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-31
Air Bag Systems.....................................1-52, 1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-66
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-59
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-66
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag In¯ates?......1-60
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-55
Air Bag .........................................................3-34
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-24
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-93
AM .............................................................3-102
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-103
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-103Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-38
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care............................................5-88
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-94
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-91
Finish Damage............................................5-93
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-24
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio Output..................................................3-97
Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-101
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-103
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-103
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-103
Radio with CD............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-76
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-99
Setting the Time..........................................3-64
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-102
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-103
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-20
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-34
1

Care of (cont.)
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-103
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-72
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-76
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-61
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-16
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-64
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-71
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-59
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-58
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-100
Center Overhead Console................................2-59
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-68
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-57
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-41
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-57
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-60
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-67
Check...........................................................3-41
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-94
Child Restraints..............................................1-38
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38Child Restraints (cont.)
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-91
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-88
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-90
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-90
Cleaning Leather............................................5-90
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-48, 2-51
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-90
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-90
Cleaning........................................................5-88
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-88
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Video Screen............................................3-103
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Climate Control System...................................3-20
3

Automatic...................................................3-20
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-29
Dual..........................................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-75, 3-89
Compass Calibration...............................2-48, 2-49
Compass Operation.........................................2-49
Compass Variance..................................2-47, 2-50
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-25
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant.........................................................3-39
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Heater, Engine............................................2-30
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-27
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-25, 3-27
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing................................................4-49
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-50
Dome Lamps.................................................3-17
Door............................................................... 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-61
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-46
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Driver............................................................1-16
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-28
4

Driving Downhill..............................................4-26
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-29
Driving in Water..............................................4-30
Driving On Grades..........................................4-66
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-23
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-42
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-35
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-35
Driving Uphill..................................................4-24
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-64
Driving..........................................................4-32
At Night.....................................................4-32
City...........................................................4-36
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-37
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-39
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-33
Winter........................................................4-41
Dual Climate Control System............................3-26
DVD Player....................................................3-90
DVD ............................................................3-103
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-103
Distortion..................................................3-102
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-90E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-86
Electrical System............................................5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-97
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-97
Electrochromic Mirror Operation................2-46, 2-49
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-43
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-58
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-10
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-58
Engine..........................................................5-20
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-30
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-39
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-44
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-27
5

Engine (cont.)
Starting......................................................2-28
Entertainment System....................................3-103
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-103
DVD Distortion..........................................3-102
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Environmental Concerns..................................4-21
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-58
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter.............................................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).....3-69, 3-80
Finding a Station....................................3-67, 3-78
Finish Care....................................................5-92
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-103
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Fluid.............................................................5-22
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38Fluid (cont.)
FM Stereo....................................................3-102
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Following Distance..........................................4-65
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-34, 5-50
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-59
Front Axle Locking Feature...............................2-34
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Frontal Air Bags.............................................1-57
Fuel Information Button....................................3-49
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-60
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-45
System Inspection.......................................6-15
Fuses...........................................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-97
6

G
Gage............................................................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-39
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Oil Pressure...............................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Transmission Temperature.............................3-40
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-36
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-55
Gasoline......................................................... 5-5
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-57
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-21
Glove Box.....................................................2-59
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamps....................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-58Headlamps (cont.)
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-55
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headphones...................................................3-96
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-25
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-39
Hitches..........................................................4-63
HomeLink
žTransmitter, Programming................2-56
HomeLinkžTransmitter....................................2-55
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-24
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-22, 5-62
How to Inspect...............................................5-20
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
Hydroplaning..................................................4-35
7

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-42
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-45
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-59
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-44
Ignition Positions.............................................2-27
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-13
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-24
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-62
Inspection......................................................6-16
Brake System.............................................6-16
Engine Cooling System................................6-16
Exhaust System..........................................6-15
Fuel System...............................................6-15
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-15
Steering and Suspension..............................6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive)....................................6-16
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-97
Instrument Panel.............................................3-31
Cluster.......................................................3-31
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-12
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-14
Lamps...........................................................3-13
Exterior......................................................3-13
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-25
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-16, 1-27
LATCH System...............................................1-43
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-41
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-62
Level Control..................................................4-53
Light.............................................................3-33
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-38
Brake System Warning.................................3-37
Charging System.........................................3-36
Cruise Control.............................................3-44
8