2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE four wheel drive

{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transmission or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment ®re or other damage.
When you're stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Don't spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, see
Tire Chains on page 5-68.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI or 4LO. If
your vehicle has the Traction Assist System, you should
turn it off by pressing the TAS on/off button. If your
vehicle has the Stabilitrak
žSystem, turn the system off
by pressing the Stabilitrakžbutton so that the
STABILITY SYS DISABLED message and the traction
off light are illuminated on the instrument panel
cluster. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
your wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you
may need to be towed out. Or, you can use your
recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If you do need
to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on
page 4-48.
4-46

Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles,
they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to correctly tow you vehicle
on all four wheels:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
{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.
4. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-34for the proper
procedure to select the neutral position for your
vehicle.
4-49

5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is ®rmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. When the vehicle is properly attached to the tow
vehicle and is ready to be towed, turn the ignition
to LOCK.
Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with the
rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmission have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles,
they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to correctly tow you vehicle
on two wheels:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
4-50

{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.
4. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-34for the proper
procedure to select the neutral position for your
vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is ®rmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. When the vehicle is properly attached to the tow
vehicle and is ready to be towed, turn the ignition
to LOCK.
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certi®cation/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
in¯ation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
4-51

The Certi®cation/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To ®nd out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
The Certi®cation/Tire label also contains information
about your Front Axle Reserve Capacity. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 5-50.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out.
{CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision,
things carried in the bed of your truck could
shift forward and come into the passenger
area, injuring you and others. If you put things
in the bed of your truck, you should make sure
they are properly secured.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that
fail because of overloading.
This will help you decide how much cargo and installed
equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
If you put things inside your vehicle ± like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else ± they go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
4-52

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
·Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
·Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
·Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
·When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
·Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Drivingº under
Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on page 4-19.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put
a limit on how many people you can carry inside
your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you
buy and install the new equipment.
Notice:Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) of the front or rear axle. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-51.
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It doesn't
include the weight of the people inside. But you
can ®gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seat.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle's CWR.
Level Control
Self-Adjusting
The self-adjusting rear suspension is available on
C/K 1500 vehicles and is available with the premium
smooth ride suspension package.
This type of level control will provide a leveled riding
position as well as improved handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
4-53

5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move,
even when you're on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake ®rmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel-drive
vehicles is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be
free to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK
(P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear Ð not in NEUTRAL.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If
you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these sections
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-67

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps..................................................5-52
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps.....................................................5-55
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-56
Daytime Running Lamps................................5-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-58
Taillamps.....................................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1