2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Delayed Locking.............................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Midgate.......................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-21
Windows........................................................2-23
Power Windows............................................2-24
Sun Visors...................................................2-24
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-25
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-25
Passlock
ž....................................................2-26
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-27
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-27
Ignition Positions..........................................2-27
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-28
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-29Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-30
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-31
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-34
Parking Brake..............................................2-39
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-40
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-42
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-43
Engine Exhaust............................................2-44
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-44
Mirrors...........................................................2-46
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-46
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-46
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display..............2-48
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors.........................2-51
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-52
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist..............................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Programmable Locking Feature
The following is the list of available programming
options:
Mode 1:All doors lock when the transmission is shifted
into gear. This is the mode that is pre-programmed in
the factory for your vehicle.
Mode 2:All doors lock when the vehicle speed is
greater than 8 mph (13 km/h).
Mode 3:No automatic door locking.
The following instructions tell you how to change the
automatic door lock mode. Choose one of the three
programming options listed above before entering the
program mode. To enter the program mode, do the
following:
1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn
signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold
it there while you perform the next step.
2. Turn the key to RUN then back to LOCK twice.
Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn
signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the
doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice,
and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now
ready to program the automatic door lock feature.3. Press the door lock switch once. You will hear one,
two, or three chimes. The number of chimes tells you
which lock mode is currently selected. Continue to
press the door lock switch until the number of chimes
that you hear matches the number of the mode that
you want. If you take longer than 30 seconds, the
locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn
will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the
program mode. If this occurs, you can repeat the
procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the
programming mode.
You can exit the program mode any time by turning the
ignition to RUN (the doors will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you
are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlock
switches are not pressed while in the programming
mode, the current automatic settings will not be
modi®ed.
See your dealer for more information.
Programmable Unlocking Feature
The following is the list of available programming
options:
Mode 1:Driver's door unlocks when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P).
Mode 2:All doors unlock when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P). This is the mode that is
pre-programmed in the factory for your vehicle.
2-9

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See ªShifting Into Park (P)º in the
Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll Ð even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P) Ð if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L) Ð not in
NEUTRAL. See ªShifting into Park (P)º in the
index.
2-31

Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read
the part that follows before using four-wheel drive. See
the appropriate text for the transfer case in your
vehicle.
Notice:Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4HI) or
4-WHEEL LOW (4LO) positions for a long time on
dry or wet pavement could shorten the life of
your vehicle's drivetrain.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
Automatic Transfer Case
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. See²Parking Brake²in the
Index.
2-34

After you move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park
(P) on page 2-40.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-31.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF/ACCESSORY. There is no
shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as possible.
2-42

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-20
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-26
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-36
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-36
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-37
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-38
Traction Off Light..........................................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-41
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-43
Security Light...............................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-45
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-46
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-57
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. See
Exterior Lamps
on page 3-13.
C. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. See
Exterior Lamps
on page 3-13.
D. Automatic Transfer Case Buttons (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-34. Traction Assist
System (If Equipped). SeeTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-10. StabiliTrakžButton (If Equipped).
SeeStabilitrakžSystem on page 4-12.
E. OnStaržand Radio Steering Wheel Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-53andAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-101.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
G. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-31.
H. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-64.
I. Dome Override Button. See
Interior Lamps on
page 3-17.J. Fog Lamps Button. See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
K. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
L. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-10.
M. Tilt Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
O. Parking Brake Release. See
Parking Brake on
page 2-39.
P. Comfort Control Systems. See
Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-20andDual Climate
Control System on page 3-26.
Q. Lighter (If Equipped) or Accessory Power Outlet (If
Equipped). See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-19andAccessory Power Outlets
on page 3-19.
R. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-19.
S. Glove Box. See
Glove Box on page 2-59.
3-5

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
·Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the set button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator
pedal. You'll now cruise at the higher speed.
·Move the cruise switch from on to
resume/accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to
the speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch brie¯y to resume/accelerate. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
·
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
·To slow down in very small amounts, brie¯y press
the set button. Each time you do this, you'll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers ®nd this to be too much trouble and don't use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
·Step lightly on the brake pedal,
·move the cruise control switch to off, or
·shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
·If your vehicle has the Stabilitrakžfeature, cruise
control will deactivate if road conditions cause
Stabilitrak
žto activate.
The cruise control will turn off automatically if the
traction control system or Stabilitrak
žsystem activate, if
your vehicle is equipped with either feature.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12