2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

7. Push the latches away from you (start with the left
latch) to lock the panel in place. You should hear a
click when each latch locks correctly.
Cargo Tie Downs
There are eight cargo tie downs in the rear cargo area.
You can use these to strap cargo in.
The tie downs are also used to secure the cargo cover
panel storage bag or the tonneau cover storage bag
if your vehicle is equipped with either. For more
information see ªCargo Cover Panelsº earlier in this
section and
Tonneau Cover on page 2-77.
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All-Weather Cargo Area
Your vehicle has the ability to operate in many different
con®gurations (cargo panels on or off, midgate up or
down, rear glass in or out), allowing the cargo and
passenger area to be open to the environment. To allow
the vehicle to operate in these con®gurations, it is
equipped with many different features to help it resist
the elements and protect cargo inside the cargo
area. Some of the features that help with this are the
following: top drain grates, side rail channels, catch
cups, midgate drain, cargo area ¯oor drains and
the rubber cargo mat. These are all part of the water
management system, which is designed to quickly direct
water out of the cargo box.
Even when the water management system is working
properly and the cover system is on, there may be some
instances (heavy rains, automated car washes, etc.)
when water may be present in the following areas:A. Top drain grates
B. Removable front drain grate (Midgate drain gate)
C. Side rail channels and catch cups
D. Front drains
E. Water drainage area (around both sides of the box
and the tailgate side)
F. Rear drains
G. Cargo ¯oor
H. Cargo mat (central area of mat is intended to be dry)
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Maintenance and Cleaning
To ensure that the water management system performs
properly, be sure that the midgate, tailgate and cover
system are fully closed and that each element of
the water management system is clean and not blocked
with debris. Follow the instruction given next in this
section for the proper procedures on cleaning each item
of the water management system.
Top Drain Grates ± Removal and
Cleaning
The top drain grates are located near the rear glass on
both sides of the vehicle. You may need to clean the
grates and drains if there seems to be blockage. But ®rst
you will have to remove the drain grates by pulling
them off of the vehicle.
To remove each drain grate, do the following:
1. Start with the cargo panels or tonneau cover off.
See
Cargo Cover Panels on page 2-61orTonneau
Cover on page 2-77for more information.
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2. Grasp the edges of the grate and pull it out from
the vehicle. Flush the drain with clean water.To replace the drain grate do the following:
1. Line up the clips on the vehicle with the slots in the
grate.
2. When you are sure that the clips are aligned with
the slots, push the grate down ®rmly.
The grate should clip into place. Don't force the grate if
it won't clip into place; realign the clips with the holes
and try again.
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Side Rail Channels
The side rail channels are located on top of both sides
of the cargo area. You may want to ¯ush them out
with clean water if you notice any debris collecting inside
of them.
When loading cargo into the cargo area, be careful not
to damage the rails.
Midgate Drain Grate Removal and
Cleaning
The midgate drain grate is located near the base of the
midgate (the midgate side facing outside). You will
®nd a removable drain grate covering the drain.
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After hauling dirt, wood chips, pebbles etc. you will need
to ¯ush the midgate drain with water. But ®rst you will
have to remove the drain grate by using the following
steps:
1. Lower the midgate. See
Midgate on page 2-12in
the Index for more information.
2. Pull up on the rear (side opposite the midgate) of
the drain grate.
3. Tilt the drain grate away from you and pull it
straight out.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the drain grate.
Cargo Area Floor Drains
Your vehicle also has four cargo-area ¯oor drains
located under the cargo mat near the sides of the cargo
area. These drains should be cleaned periodically to
allow water to exit the cargo area.
The cargo mat has cutouts for the drains. You can ¯ush
the drains through the cutouts, but if the cargo area
is extremely dirty you can lift up the edges of the cargo
¯oor mat or take the whole mat out and ¯ush the
drains with water.
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Top-Box Storage
Your vehicle is equipped with top-box storage units on
both side of the vehicle. The passenger side top box
contains the tools you will need to change a ¯at tire.
Use the ignition/door key to unlock the top box lid if it is
locked. Press the key cylinder button and swing the
lid open. Turn on the cargo lamps if you need more light
inside the Top Boxes. See ªCargo Lampsº under
Exterior Lamps on page 3-13for more information on
cargo lamps. Use the ignition/door key to lock the
top boxes.
Tonneau Cover
{CAUTION:
Improperly stored tonneau cover components
could be thrown about the vehicle during a
collision or sudden maneuver. You or others
could be injured. If you remove the cover,
bows and rails, always store them properly in
the cargo area.
When you put them back, always be sure that
they are securely reattached.
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Your vehicle may be equipped with a tonneau cover.
The main components of the tonneau cover are
the following:
A. Front Rail
B. Bows
C. Side Rails
D. Rear Rail
E. Plastic Lip
F. LoopRemoving the Tonneau Cover
1. Starting at the rear corner of the driver's side of the
vehicle, pull the loop (F) of the cover toward you
and then pull up so the plastic lip (E) releases from
the channel in the rear rail (D) and the side
rail (C).
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