2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE engine

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on brie¯y when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual's advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly ±
and even dangerous. So please get to know your
warning lights and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle also has a message center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
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Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a
glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, about how much fuel you have
and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely
and economically.
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your vehicle's odometer works together with the
driver information center, if equipped. You can set a
personal trip and business trip odometer. See ªTrip
Informationº under
DIC Operation and Displays
on page 3-46DIC Operation and Displays.
For vehicles without the DIC buttons, your vehicle will
be equipped with personal trip odometer, business
trip odometer and hourmeter in addition to the regular
odometer. To access the different odometers and
the hourmeter, press and release the trip stem button to
cycle through the following options:
·ODOMETER: XXXXX.X MI Ð This shows the
current distance traveled in either miles or
kilometers. The odometer cannot be reset.
·PERSONAL: XXXXX.X MI Ð This shows the
current distance traveled since the last reset for the
personal trip odometer. Press and hold the trip
stem while this is displayed to reset the personal
odometer to 0.
·BUSINESS: XXXXX.X MI Ð This shows the current
distance traveled since the last reset for the
business trip odometer. Press and hold the trip
stem while this is displayed to reset the business
odometer to 0.
·HOURMETER: XX.X HR Ð This shows the total
number of hours the engine has run. The
hourmeter cannot be reset.
To change the language of the display do the following:
1. Use the trip stem to scroll to the odometer mode.
2. Press and hold the trip stem for about four seconds
until the display scrolls through the following
choices:
·ENGLISH
·FRENCH
·SPANISH
3. Release the trip stem when you reach the desired
language.
The display will now be in the language you have
chosen.
The odometer mileage can also be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip stem on the
instrument panel cluster.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
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Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, or engine
damage may occur.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds,
then it will ¯ash for several
more.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag sensors, the air
bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see
Air Bag Systems on page 1-52.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ¯ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system is
ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
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Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on brie¯y when
you turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate
that you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery.
When this light comes on the DIC will also display the
battery not charging message. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
in RUN, this gage
shows your battery's state
of charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power
at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on for
several seconds.
That's normal. If the light doesn't come on then, have it
®xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
your vehicle needs service. You will also hear a
chime sound when the light is on steady. If the regular
brake system warning light isn't on, you still have
brakes, but you don't have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on you don't
have anti-lock brakes and there's a problem with
your regular brakes. In addition to both lights, you will
also hear a chime sound on the ®rst occurrence of
a problem and each time the vehicle is shut off and then
restarted. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-37.
Traction Off Light
If you have the Traction
Assist System or the
Stabilitrak
žsystem, this
light should come on brie¯y
when you turn the
ignition to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, the system may
require service; have it ®xed so it will be there to warn
you if the system is turned off.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
there may be a problem with your Traction Assist
System and your vehicle may need service. When this
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
The traction off light may come on for the following
reasons:
·If you turn the system off by pressing the TAS
on/off button located to the left of the steering wheel,
the light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again; the light
should go off.
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·If you move the shift lever to FIRST (1), the light
will come on and stay on to indicate that the
traction system is off. This is normal operation. To
turn the system back on, move the shift lever
back to a position other than FIRST (1); the light
should go off. See
Traction Assist System (TAS) on
page 4-10.
·The light will come on and stay on if the TAS
automatic engagement feature has been turned off.
To turn the system on, press the TAS off/on
button; the light should go off. To turn the automatic
engagement feature back on, see
Traction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-10.
·If the Traction Assist System is affected by an
anti-lock brake system, TAS or engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the light will
come on. Have your vehicle serviced.
·If the vehicle is driven over an extremely rough
road, the system will turn off and the light will come
on. The light will go off a few seconds after the
rough road conditions go away or when the vehicle
comes to a complete stop. This is normal
operation.
For more information on the traction off light and
Stabilitrak
ž, seeStabilitrakžSystem on page 4-12.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210ÉF (100ÉC) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
¯uctuate and approach the 250ÉF (122ÉC) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260ÉF (125ÉC) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27. United States
Canada
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Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission
temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission ¯uid. The normal
operating range is from 100ÉF (38ÉC) to about 265ÉF
(130ÉC).
At approximately 265ÉF (130ÉC), the DIC will display a
TRANSMISSION HOT message and the transmission
will enter a transmission protection mode. When
the transmission enters the protection mode, you may
notice a change in the transmission shifting patterns.
The transmission will return to normal shifting patterns
when the transmission ¯uid temperature falls below
260ÉF (127ÉC).See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46for
further information.
If the transmission ¯uid reaches temperatures of
approximately 275ÉF (135ÉC) or greater, the DIC will
display a TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE warning message
and a chime will sound. Pull the vehicle off the
roadway when it is safe to do so. Set the parking brake,
place the transmission in PARK (P) and allow the
engine to idle until the transmission temperature falls
below 260ÉF (127ÉC). If the transmission continues
to operate above 265ÉF (130ÉC), please contact your
nearest dealer or the GM Roadside Assistance Center.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above the normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered under your warranty.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
·Towing a trailer,
·hot outside air temperatures,
·hauling a large or heavy load,
·low transmission ¯uid level,
·high transmission ¯uid level,
·restricted air ¯ow to the radiator. United States
Canada
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A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, see
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-5for the proper transmission maintenance
intervals.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Check Engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modi®cations made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi®cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light doesn't come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
·Light FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
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