2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE wheel

In order to calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to the front
axle, use the following formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory is adding
to the front axle.
Where:
W = Weight of added accessory
A = Distance that the accessory is in front of the
front axle
W.B. = Vehicle WheelbaseFor example, adding a 700 lb. (318 kg) snow plow
actually adds more than 700 lb. (318 kg) to the front
axle. Using the formula, if the snow plow is 4 ft. (122 cm)
in front of the front axle and the wheel base is 10 ft.
(305 cm), then:
W = 700 lb. (318 kg)
A = 4 ft. (122 cm)
W.B. = 10 ft. (305 cm)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. = (700 x (4 + 10))/10 = 980 lb.
(445 kg)
So, if your truck’s front axle reserve capacity is more
than 980 lb. (445 kg), you could add the snow plow
without exceeding the front GAWR.
4-65

A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been selected.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul every
time it is started.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy load or
with no trailer will cause reduced fuel economy and
unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics, but will not cause damage.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benet to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/haul
is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Use one of the following charts to determine how
much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the
maximum trailer weight.
Above the 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg) trailer rating, the
handling/trailering suspension is required on C-1500
models and the handling/trailering or off-road suspension
is required on K-1500 models.
Notice:Using a fth-wheel or goose-neck hitch
device on your vehicle could damage the vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not use a fth-wheel or goose-neck hitch
device on your vehicle.
4-71

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-76

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel-drive vehicles
is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
NEUTRAL.
4-78

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-33Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-40
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-41
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-42
Brakes........................................................5-43
Battery........................................................5-47
Jump Starting...............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-55
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-56
Front Axle......................................................5-57
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Headlamps..................................................5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-62
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-63
Daytime Running Lamps................................5-65
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-65
Taillamps.....................................................5-65
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-66
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tires..............................................................5-68
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-76
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-77
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-81
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-82
Buying New Tires.........................................5-83
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-85
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-86
Wheel Replacement......................................5-86
Tire Chains..................................................5-88
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-89
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-90
Spare Tire.................................................5-110
Appearance Care..........................................5-111
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle...............5-111
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-114
Weatherstrips.............................................5-114Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle.............5-114
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-117
Finish Damage...........................................5-117
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-117
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-117
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-118
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-119
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-119
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-119
Electrical System..........................................5-119
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-120
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-120
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-120
Capacities and Specications........................5-128
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle to
the lower left of
the steering wheel.
5-10

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
5-46