2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it ®nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
7-10

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

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

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-54
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-53
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-29
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-69, 3-80
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-31
Air Bag Systems.....................................1-52, 1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-66
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-59
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-66
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag In¯ates?......1-60
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-55
Air Bag .........................................................3-34
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-24
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-93
AM .............................................................3-102
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-103
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-103Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-38
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care............................................5-88
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-94
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-91
Finish Damage............................................5-93
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-24
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio Output..................................................3-97
Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-101
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-103
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-103
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-103
Radio with CD............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-76
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-99
Setting the Time..........................................3-64
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-102
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-103
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-20
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-34
1

Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-12
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-13
Automatic Transmission...................................5-22
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-31
Auxiliary Battery..............................................4-69
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-16
B
Backing Up....................................................4-65
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-58
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Battery..........................................................5-42
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-38
Before You Drive............................................3-90
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-19
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-12
Brake Adjustment............................................5-42
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-29
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-42
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-39
Parking......................................................2-39
System Inspection.......................................6-16
System Warning Light..................................3-37Brake (cont.)
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-27
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-58
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-55
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headlamps.................................................5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-59
Taillamps....................................................5-58
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-106
Carbon Monoxide...........4-41, 4-58, 2-12, 2-21, 2-44
Care of.........................................................5-91
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-103
2

Care of (cont.)
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-103
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-72
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-76
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-61
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-16
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-64
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-71
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-59
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-58
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-100
Center Overhead Console................................2-59
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-68
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-57
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-41
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-57
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-60
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-67
Check...........................................................3-41
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-94
Child Restraints..............................................1-38
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38Child Restraints (cont.)
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-91
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-88
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-90
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-90
Cleaning Leather............................................5-90
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-48, 2-51
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-90
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-90
Cleaning........................................................5-88
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-88
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Video Screen............................................3-103
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Climate Control System...................................3-20
3

Automatic...................................................3-20
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-29
Dual..........................................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-75, 3-89
Compass Calibration...............................2-48, 2-49
Compass Operation.........................................2-49
Compass Variance..................................2-47, 2-50
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-25
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant.........................................................3-39
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Heater, Engine............................................2-30
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-27
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-25, 3-27
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing................................................4-49
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-50
Dome Lamps.................................................3-17
Door............................................................... 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-61
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-46
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Driver............................................................1-16
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-28
4

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