2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE climate control

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-67
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-25
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-27
Mirrors
....................................................2-46
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-53
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-55
Storage Areas
.........................................2-59
Sunroof
..................................................2-84
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-85
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-46
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-64Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-48
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-50
Front Axle
...............................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-60
Tires
......................................................5-61
Appearance Care
.....................................5-88
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-96
Electrical System
......................................5-96
Capacities and Speci®cations
...................5-106
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-108
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will ®nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a speci®c component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help ®guring out a speci®c name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
·Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
·Features and Controls in Section 2
·Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
·Climate Controls in Section 3
·Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
·Audio System(s) in Section 3
·Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from locking your key in the
vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door
is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the driver's door will unlock.
Midgate
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo
area covered and the tailgate and the midgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the cargo covers
on and the tailgate and midgate open or if
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the midgate:
·Make sure all windows are shut.
·Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the
setting on OUTSIDE AIR. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See ªClimate
Control Systemº in the Index.
·If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Midgate Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with a midgate and a
removable rear glass panel. The midgate allows you to
extend the length of your vehicle's cargo area.
2-12

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
·Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
·Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
·Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
·Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
·Repairs weren't done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
·Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
·Have your vehicle ®xed immediately.
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
ªWinter Drivingº in the Index.
2-44

If the mirrors are accidently manually folded in or you
notice that the mirrors will not stay in the unfolded
position, unfold and fold them at least twice using the
mirror controls. Do not unfold them manually. The
mirrors may not stay in place otherwise.
The mirrors may also include a memory function which
works in conjunction with the memory seats. See
Memory Seat on page 2-85for more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Outside Heated Mirrors
Your vehicle may have this feature.
When you press this
button, a defogger warms
the heated driver's and
passenger's outside
rearview mirrors to help
clear them of ice,
snow and condensation.
If your vehicle has a rear window defogger, it will also
operate when you press this button. See ªRear Window
Defoggerº under
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 3-20for more information.
2-52

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

Climate Controls
Automatic Climate Control System
With this system, you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also
has a ¯ow-through ventilation system described later
in this section.
You can select different climate control settings for the
driver and passengers.
Driver's Side Temperature Knob
The driver's side knob is used to adjust the temperature
of the air coming through the system on the driver's
side. The temperature can be adjusted even if the
system is turned off. This is possible since outside air
will always ¯ow through the system as the vehicle
is moving forward unless it is set to recirculation mode.
See ªRecirculationº later in this section.
Turn the knob counterclockwise or clockwise to lower or
increase the cabin temperature. The display will show
the temperature setting decreasing or increasing and an
arrow pointing to the driver will be displayed under
and to the left of the temperature setting.
3-20