2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

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

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 specically 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.
7-14

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

C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Capacities and Specications..........................5-128
Carbon Monoxide...........2-14, 2-23, 2-47, 4-44, 4-68
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-114
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-116
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-116
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-78
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-82
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-67
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-19
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-70
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-77
CD Messages........................................3-85, 3-99
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-66
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-23
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-65
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-122
Center Overhead Console................................2-65
Chains, Tire...................................................5-88CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-65
Charging System Light....................................3-40
Check Engine Light.........................................3-47
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-66
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-72
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-68
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-44
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-117
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-47
3

Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap...................................................1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-117
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-22
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle.................................5-111
Outside of Your Vehicle..............................5-114
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-117
Weatherstrips............................................5-114
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses......................5-115
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet...................................5-111
Cleaning Glass Surfaces................................5-113
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components...............5-113
Cleaning Leather...........................................5-113
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-52, 2-55
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel.........5-113
Cleaning the Video Screen.............................3-112
Cleaning Vinyl..............................................5-113
Climate Control System
Automatic...................................................3-22
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-32
Dual..........................................................3-29
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-32
Compass Calibration...............................2-52, 2-54
Compass Operation.........................................2-53Compass Variance..................................2-51, 2-54
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-27
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-45
Heater, Engine............................................2-33
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-33
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-51
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-14
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
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................................................ 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-13
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-12
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-13
4

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-17
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-28, 3-31
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Dinghy Towing................................................4-53
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-54
Dome Lamps.................................................3-20
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-69
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-54
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-33
City...........................................................4-38Driving (cont.)
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-43
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-35
Winter........................................................4-44
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-29
Driving Downhill..............................................4-27
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-31
Driving in Water..............................................4-32
Driving On Grades..........................................4-77
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-24
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-45
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-37
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-37
Driving Uphill..................................................4-25
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-76
Dual Climate Control System............................3-29
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-99
DVD Distortion..............................................3-112
DVD Messages.............................................3-111
DVD Player..................................................3-104
5

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-92
Electrical System...........................................5-119
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-120
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-120
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-120
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-49
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-47
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-33
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-45
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-47
Fan Noise..................................................5-40
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-32
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66
Entry Lighting and Exit Lighting.........................3-20Environmental Concerns..................................4-21
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-64
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-77, 3-89
Finding a Station....................................3-75, 3-87
Finish Care..................................................5-115
Finish Damage.............................................5-117
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-116
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-89
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-90
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-41
Windshield Washer......................................5-42
FM Stereo....................................................3-115
Fog Lamps....................................................3-18
Following Distance..........................................4-76
6