2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE brake

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, transmission shift linkage and parking
brake cable guides. Ball joints should not be lubricated
unless their temperature is 10°F (-12°C) or higher,
or they could be damaged.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts,
signs of wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect power
steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Visually check constant
velocity joints, rubber boots and axle seals for leaks.(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
6-8

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-42if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-42if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the
RUN position, but do not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift
lever moves out of PARK (P), contact your
GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
6-11

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-16.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front AxleSAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052271,
in Canada 10950849).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455)
meeting GM Specication 9986115.
6-13

In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such
as the Air Bag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such
as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position,
vehicle speed, safety belt usage, air bag readiness, air
bag performance data, and the severity of a collision.
This information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.
GM will not access information about a crash event or
share it with others other than
with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a specic
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information
if they have access to the vehicle or SDM.
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar
®, please check
the OnStar®subscription service agreement or manual
for information on its operations and data collection.
7-11

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 specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-13

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-21
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-63
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-42
Additional Program Information.........................7-10
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-62
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-33
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-77, 3-89
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-33
Air Bag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-38
Readiness Light..........................................3-36
Air Bag Systems.....................................1-51, 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 Inate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-60
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
Air Conditioning..............................................3-27
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-116AM .............................................................3-115
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-116
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-117
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-43
Appearance Care..........................................5-111
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-114
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-117
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle..............5-111
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle............5-114
Finish Damage..........................................5-117
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-117
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-117
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-118
Weatherstrips............................................5-114
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-24
Ashtrays........................................................3-22
Audio Output................................................3-102
Audio System(s).............................................3-72
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-114
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-116
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-116
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-117
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-116
Radio with CD............................................3-73
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-85
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-112
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time..........................................3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-114
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-115
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-117
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-22
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..........2-50, 2-53
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-38
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-34
Auxiliary Battery..............................................4-82
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-19
B
Backing Up....................................................4-76
Battery..........................................................5-47
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-66
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-41
Before You Drive...........................................3-100
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-20Brake
Parking......................................................2-42
System Warning Light..................................3-42
Brake Adjustment............................................5-46
Brake Fluid....................................................5-43
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-33
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-46
Brake Wear...................................................5-46
Brakes..........................................................5-43
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-30
BUCKLE PASSENGER....................................3-69
BUCKLE SEATBELT.......................................3-69
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-65
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-65
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headlamps.................................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-66
Taillamps....................................................5-65
Buying New Tires...........................................5-83
2