2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ECO mode

If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it's ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
·There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you'll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
·Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg). You can ask a
hitch dealer about sway controls.
·Don't tow a trailer at all during the ®rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
·Then, during the ®rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
·You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a
lower gear selection if the transmission shifts
too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions). See ªTow/Haul Modeº later in
this section.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
·the weight of the trailer,
·the weight of the trailer tongue
·and the weight on your vehicle's tires.
4-59

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the
tow/haul mode is to:
·Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
·Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
·Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Press the button at the end of the shift lever to turn the
tow/haul feature on or off. When tow/haul is on, the
tow/haul light on the instrument panel will illuminate.
Tow/haul turns off automatically each time the vehicle is
started.Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of
the vehicle's Gross Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR). See ªWeight of the Trailerº later in this section.
Tow/haul is most useful under the following driving
conditions:
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load through rolling terrain.
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in stop and go traffic.
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no bene®t to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/haul
is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.
4-60

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

Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-85
Message.......................................................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning.......2-75
Midgate Operation...........................................2-12
Midgate.........................................................2-12
Mirrors..........................................................2-48
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-48
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
ž,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-46
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-46
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist.............................................2-53
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-51
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-52
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-51
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-27
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-108
O
Odometer......................................................3-32
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
OIL LIFE RESET............................................3-57
OIL PRESSURE LOW.....................................3-57
Oil ................................................................5-15
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-43
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-54
OnStaržServices............................................2-54
OnStaržSteering Wheel Controls......................2-55
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-53
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-54
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-19
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outside.........................................................2-53
Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View
Assist.....................................................2-53
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-51
Convex Mirror.............................................2-52
Heated Mirrors............................................2-52
Power Mirrors.............................................2-51
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-27
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
10

Tires (cont.)
Inspection and Rotation................................5-62
Spare Tire..................................................5-87
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-64
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-30
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-77
Top Drain Grates ± Removal and Cleaning.........2-73
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Top-Box Storage.............................................2-77
Torque Lock...................................................2-42
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-63
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-45
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-33
Towing..........................................................4-48
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-58
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-63
Traction Control Operation................................4-13
Traction.........................................................4-10
Assist System (TAS)....................................4-10
Off Light.....................................................3-38
Stabilitrak
žSystem......................................4-12
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-64
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-68
Trailer...........................................................4-58Recommendations.......................................4-58
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE.............................3-61
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive)
Inspection...................................................6-16
Transfer Case................................................5-50
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-61
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-31
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transmission..................................................5-22
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Temperature Gage.......................................3-40
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-21
Trip Information Button....................................3-47
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-57
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-8
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-60
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-65
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-14
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-101
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-102
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-68
15

Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-89
Using HomeLinkž...........................................2-58
Using Song List Mode.....................................3-88
Using the Recovery Hooks...............................4-47
V
Vehicle Identi®cation........................................5-96
Number (VIN).............................................5-96
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-96
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-85
Memory Seat..............................................2-85
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-42
Vehicle............................................................ 4-6
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-51
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicles with Gray Body-Side Cladding.....5-52, 5-55
Vehicles with Gray Body-Side Cladding..............5-58
Vehicles with no Body±Side Cladding........5-54, 5-56
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-28
Video Screen.................................................3-93
Visors...........................................................2-24
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-36
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-30
Warnings.......................................................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-91
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-12
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-62
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-61
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-17
What to Add..................................................5-40
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-19
What to Use..........................5-25, 5-37, 5-38, 5-49
Wheels..........................................................5-67
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-67
Replacement...............................................5-67
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-16
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-18
When to Check and Change............................5-22
When to Check Lubricant.................................5-49
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-37
16