2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE steering

Checking Things Under the
Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a ®re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake ¯uid, windshield washer and
other ¯uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle to
the lower left of
the steering wheel.
5-10

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-30andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-30andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-36.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-43.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-36.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-43.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-39.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood Fuse Blockº
under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-42.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Cooling System on
page 5-30andCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-30andEngine
Fan Noise on page 5-36.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-43.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-43.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-39.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood Fuse Blockº
under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
M. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-42.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see ªCHECK OIL LEVELº under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick has
a ring handle and is
located on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
more information on
location.
5-15

5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages.So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and the clutch
disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
8100 V8 Engine
5-36

When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the ¯uid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough ¯uid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-17.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals. All Other Engines
5-37

Notice:If your vehicle is a 2500 Series, use tire
chains only where legal and only when you must.
Use chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Don't
use chains on the tires of the front axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblowoutº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the ¯at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel ®rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
5-69

Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The center instrument panel utility block is located
underneath the instrument panel, to the left of the
steering column.
Device Usage
SEO Special Equipment Option
TRAILER Trailer Brake Wiring
UPFIT Up®tter (Not Used)
Device Usage
SL RIDERide Control Harness
Connection
HDLR 2 Headliner Wiring Connector
BODY Body Wiring Connector
DEFOG Rear Defogger Relay
HDLNR 1 Headliner Wiring Connector 1
SPARE RELAY Not Used
CB SEATDriver and Passenger Seat
Module Circuit Breaker
CB RT DOORRight Power Window Circuit
Breaker
SPARE Not Used
INFOInfotainment Harness
Connection
5-100

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-11At Least Once a Year...................................6-12
Part C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections.........6-15
Steering and Suspension Inspection................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-15
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-16
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel
Drive) Inspection.......................................6-16
Brake System Inspection................................6-16
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-17
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-19
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1