2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE maintenance schedule

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
This part contains engine oil and chassis lubrication
scheduled maintenance which explains the engine oil life
system and how it indicates when to change the
engine oil and ®lter. Lubricate chassis components with
each oil change. Also, listed are scheduled maintenance
services which are to be performed at the mileage
intervals speci®ed.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know
exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer.This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs,
you'll know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper ¯uids and lubricants to use are listed in Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
·carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will ®nd these limits on your vehicle's
Certi®cation/Tire label. See
Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-51.
·are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
·are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
See
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle on page 4-19.
·use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5
.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10andPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections on
page 6-15.
Footnotes
²The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-16.
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication
Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and ®lter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs ®rst). Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and ®lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHECK ENGINE OIL message will come
on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the
next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and ®lter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained
service people who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
6-5

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-15for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil
and ®lter change.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, transmission shift linkage and parking brake
cable guides. Ball joints should not be lubricated unless
their temperature is 10ÉF (-12ÉC) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change and chassis lubrication. After the services are
performed, record the date, odometer reading and
who performed the service on the maintenance record
pages in Part E of this schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter or change indicator (if
equipped). If necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is
driven in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter or
change indicator (if equipped) at every engine oil
change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
6-6

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and
any additional information from ªOwner Checks and Servicesº or ªPeriodic Maintenanceº on the following record
pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
ReadingServiced ByMaintenance Record
6-19

Online Owner Center
The Owner Center is a resource for your GM ownership
needs. You can ®nd your speci®c vehicle information
all in one place.
The Owner Center allows you to:
·Get e-mail service reminders.
·Access information about your speci®c vehicle,
including tips and videos and an electronic
version of this owner's manual. (United States only)
·Keep track of your vehicle's service history and
maintenance schedule.
·Find GM dealers for service nationwide.
·Receive special promotions and privileges only
available to members. (United States only)
Refer to the web for updated information.
To register your vehicle, visit www.MyGMLink.com.
(United States) or My GM Canada within
www.gmcanada.com (Canada).
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Chevrolet has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate
with Chevrolet by dialing: 1-800-833-CHEV (2438).
(TTY users in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
Customer Assistance Offices
Chevrolet encourages customers to call the toll-free
number for assistance. If a U.S. customer wishes
to write to Chevrolet, the letter should be addressed to
Chevrolet's Customer Assistance Center.
United States ± Customer Assistance
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
1-800-222-1020
1-800-833-2438 (For Text Telephone devices
(TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-CHEV-USAž (243-8872)
Fax Number: 313-381-0022
7-4

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner's Information
Owner publications are written speci®cally for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner's manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner's Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner's Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern
Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

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

Light (cont.)
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-41
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-33
Security.....................................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-45
Traction Off................................................3-38
Listening to a DVD.........................................3-89
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-20
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-51
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-11
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks............................................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-18
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-58
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-45
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-60
Lumbar........................................................... 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3M
Maintenance and Cleaning...............................2-73
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-108
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-16
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-16
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-15
Fuel System Inspection................................6-15
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-15
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-17
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-19
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel
Drive) Inspection......................................6-16
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-67
Making Turns.................................................4-65
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-41
9