2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Midgate

Head Restraints
Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is closest to the top of your head. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.
The rear seat head restraints in your vehicle are
adjustable. They work the same as the front seat head
restraints.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
The rear seat is a 60/40 split rear seat that can be
folded to give you more cargo space and access to the
folding midgate. SeeMidgate on page 2-14for more
information on operation of the folding midgate.
To fold either side of the seat do the following:
1. Push the rear head restraints all the way down.
2. Pull the seat loop
located where the
seatback and
seat cushion meet.
The seat cushion will
release and allow
you to tilt it toward the
front of the vehicle.
1-7

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Midgate.......................................................2-14
Tailgate.......................................................2-23
Windows........................................................2-25
Power Windows............................................2-26
Sun Visors...................................................2-26
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-27
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-27
Passlock
®....................................................2-29
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-30
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-30
Ignition Positions..........................................2-31
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-32Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-33
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-33
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-34
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-38
Parking Brake..............................................2-42
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-43
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-46
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-46
Engine Exhaust............................................2-47
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-48
Mirrors...........................................................2-49
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-49
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display..............2-52
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors.........................2-56
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-56
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-57
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-58
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist..............................................2-58
OnStar
®System.............................................2-59
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

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 not 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 electrical wiring or other cable
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 on the setting
that brings in outside air. This will force
outside air into your vehicle. See
Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-22.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-47.
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.
2-14

The following are the main components of the midgate
system:
A. Latch Levers
B. Grab Handles
C. Glass-Catch
Release Button
D. Glass Lock KnobsE. Window
Retaining Tabs
F. Midgate Release
Handle
G. Window Alignment
ArrowsRear Glass Removal and Storage
{CAUTION:
If the removable rear glass is not stored
properly, it could be thrown about the vehicle
in a crash or sudden maneuver. People in the
vehicle could be injured. Whenever you store
the rear glass in the vehicle, always be sure
that it is stored securely in the midgate
storage pocket.
Do not remove the rear glass when the rear defroster is
on. If you remove the rear glass with the rear defroster
on, you may see a discharge spark coming from
the latch area.
To remove the rear glass do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. SeeRear Seat Operation on
page 1-7for more information. The front seats
may have to be moved forward slightly to allow the
rear seats to fold completely.
Although the rear glass can be removed without
folding the rear seats, you will not be able to access
the rear glass storage pocket. Be sure to fold the
seatsbeforeremoving the rear glass.
2-15

4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out from
the lower window frame channel. Use the grab
handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.
5. Load the rear glass into the storage pocket in the
midgate, guiding the lower edge of the rear glass
behind the three rear glass retaining tabs (E).
Hold the rear glass at against the storage pocket,
with grab handles facing you, until the next step.
2-17

Lowering the Midgate with the Rear Glass
in Place
The midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area of
your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear glass
can be either installed in its normal position, or it can be
removed and stored in the rear glass storage pocket.
To lower the midgate, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats might have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to
fold. SeeRear Seat Operation on page 1-7for
more information.
2. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold the midgate
securely so it does not fall forward. Turn the
midgate handle clockwise and pull the midgate
toward you.Rear Glass in Normal Position
2-21

3. Lower the midgate until it is at.
Lowering the Midgate with the Rear Glass
in the Storage Pocket
Rear Glass Stored in Glass Storage Pocket
2-22

This procedure works the same as the procedure
described previously (with the rear glass installed), but
when you lower the midgate with the rear glass in
the stored position, you will notice that the entire
crossbar (the bar with the release handle) will lower with
the midgate. This is completely normal; however,
since the crossbar lowers with the midgate, it will be
heavier. As you lower the midgate in this conguration
be ready for the extra weight and be careful not to
let the midgate fall as you lower it.
Raising the Midgate
To return the midgate to its normal position, raise the
midgate up with a rm swinging motion (this will help to
ensure that the midgate closes with enough force to
engage the latches) until it latches into place securely.
If the rear glass is removed and you would like to
put it back, do so using the instructions given previously.
Tailgate
Use the ignition/door key to unlock/lock the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while pulling
the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, rmly push it upward until it
latches. Push and pull on the tailgate to be sure it is
latched securely. Midgate Lowered with Crossbar Attached
2-23