2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE check engine

(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,
midgate hinges, side storage box door hinges, tailgate
hinges, tailgate linkage, outer tailgate handle pivot points,
latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks and folding seat
hardware. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal better and not stick or
squeak.
(g)Add uid as needed. A uid loss could indicate a
problem; repair as needed. Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-26for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly (if equipped).
Replace as needed.
6-9

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-68for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. Push, pull and then try to rotate or turn
the spare tire. If it moves, tighten it. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 5-90.
6-10

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

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

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

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

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamps....................................................5-58
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-58
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
Headphones.................................................3-100
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-27
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-42
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-43
Hitches..........................................................4-74
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-61
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-62
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-35How to Add Fluid............................................5-26
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-55
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-42
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydroplaning..................................................4-37
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-32
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-48
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-48
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-47
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-49
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-69
Ignition Positions.............................................2-31
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-26
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-76
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-20
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-120
Interior Lamps................................................3-20
8