2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE engine

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

You can also reshape the back wing area of the lower
seatback.
·To increase support in the wing area of the lower
seatback, press and hold the top of the control.
Let go of the control when the lower seatback
reaches the desired level of support.
·To decrease support in the wing area of the lower
seatback, press and hold the bottom of the control.
Let go of the control when the lower seatback
reaches the desired level of support.
Heated Seats
Your vehicle may have
heated front seats. The
buttons used to control this
feature are located on
the front doors. The engine
must be running for the
heated seat feature
to work.
To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button with
the heated seat symbol. Press the button to cycle
through the temperature settings of high, medium and
low and to turn the heated seat off. Indicator lights
will glow to designate the level of heat selected, three
for high, two for medium, and one for low.
1-4

In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you'll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air
bag system won't be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal
sensors which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate and a more severe frontal
impact. Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash
sensing and diagnostic module, which records
information about the frontal air bag system. The
module records information about the readiness of
the system and when the system commands air
bag in¯ation. It records the status of the driver's
safety belt usage in a crash in which the air
bag deploys or a crash in which the air bag nearly
deploys. The module also records speed, engine
rpm, brake and throttle data.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
1-61

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

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

Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver's window
and open the driver's door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the security light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
While the alarm is set, the power door unlock switch is
not operational.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
headlamps ¯ash, check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97.
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
¯ash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer.
Passlockž
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlockž
theft-deterrent system.
Passlockžis a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlockž
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is
disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn off
approximately ®ve seconds after the key is turned
to RUN.
If the engine stalls and the security light ¯ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ¯ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock
žsystem is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
žat this
time. You may also want to check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97. See your
dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center.
See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
2-26

Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the
key or the ignition switch. If none of these works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
C (RUN):This position is for driving.
D (START):This position starts your engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature will allow
certain features on your vehicle to continue to work
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
LOCK.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the
key.
2-28

2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the
position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is
designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot
move farther away from the standard position, but can
move forward for better pedal reach. This feature
can be programmed to work with the memory function
(if equipped) on your vehicle. See
Memory Seat on
page 2-85.The vehicle must be in PARK (P) for this feature to
operate.
The buttons used to adjust
the pedals are located on
the driver's side door
panel.
Press the button closest to you to move the pedals
closer to your body. Press the button farthest from you
to move the pedals away from your body.
2-29