2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE heating

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

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
If your vehicle has this feature it is located in the center
console or on the instrument panel. Pull up on the
ashtray door to open it if it is in the console or pull the
door open it if it is on the instrument panel.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull it out from the console or
from the slide out door. To reinstall the ashtray,
slide it back to the original position.
To use the cigarette lighter, if equipped, push it in all
the way, and let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back out
by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Climate Controls
Automatic Climate Control System
With this system, you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation in your vehicle.
You can select different climate control settings for the
driver and passengers.
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Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning (A/C) compressor on and off. The
snowake symbol will appear on the display when the
A/C is on.
Pressing this button when the outside temperature is
too cool for air conditioning to be effective will make the
snowake symbol ash three times and then turn off
to let you know that the air conditioning mode is
not available. If the air conditioning is on and the outside
temperature drops below a temperature which is too
cool for air conditioning to be effective, the snowake
symbol will turn off to let you know that the air
conditioning mode has been canceled.
^(Air Conditioning Off):On some vehicles, when
you turn the air conditioning off, this symbol will appear
on the display. If your vehicle does not have this
symbol, the snowake symbol will turn off to let you
know the air conditioning is off.
When air conditioning is selected or in AUTO mode, the
system will run the air conditioning automatically to cool
and dehumidify the air entering the vehicle. If you select
A/C off while in front defrost, defog or recirculation, the
A/C snowake symbol will turn off, but the A/C
compressor will still run to help prevent fogging.On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for
your vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows
closed for the air conditioner to work its best.
On cool, but sunny days while using manual operation
of the automatic system, use bi-level to deliver warm
air to the oor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets. To warm or cool the air delivered, turn the
temperature knob to the desired setting.
In AUTO mode the system will cool and dehumidify the
air inside the vehicle. Also while in AUTO mode, the
system will maximize its performance by using
recirculation as necessary.
Heating
On cold days when using manual operation of the
automatic system, choose oor mode to deliver air to
the oor outlets. To warm or cool the air delivered, turn
the temperature knob to the desired setting.
If you want to use the automatic mode, press AUTO and
adjust the temperature by turning the temperature knob.
The heater works best if you keep the windows closed
while using it.
3-27

Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob to the off position to turn off the fan. If
the knob is in off outside air will still enter the vehicle,
and will be directed based on the position of the
mode knob. The temperature can also be adjusted
using the temperature levers.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of your vehicle.To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel vents.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel vents; then directs most of the
remaining air to the oor vents. A little air is directed
toward the windshield and the side window vents. Cooler
air is directed to the upper vents and warmer air to
the oor vents.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor vents with a little air directed to the windshield and
the side window vents.
3-29

Outlet Adjustment
Your vehicle has air outlets located in the center and on
the side of your instrument panel that allow you to adjust
the direction and amount of airow inside the vehicle.
Move the louvers up or down. Use the thumbwheel next
to or underneath the outlet to close the louvers. For the
most efficient airow and temperature control, keep the
outlet in the fully opened position.
Operation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow,
or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The
heater and defroster will work far better, reducing
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your
vehicle.
Adding outside equipment to the front of your
vehicle, such as hood-air deectors, etc., may affect
the performance of the heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Climate Controls Personalization
If your vehicle is equipped with the electronic climate
control system, you can store and recall the climate
control settings for temperature, air delivery mode and
fan speed for two different drivers. The personal
choice settings recalled are determined by the
transmitter used to enter the vehicle.
After the button with the unlock symbol on a remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the climate control
will adjust to the last settings of the identied driver.
The settings can also be changed by pressing one of the
memory buttons (1 or 2) located on the driver’s door.
When adjustments are made, the new settings are
automatically saved for that driver.
3-32

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F (100°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
uctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission
temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the temperature
of the transmission uid. The normal operating range is
from 100°F (38°C) to about 265°F (130°C). United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
3-45

CHECK OIL LEVEL
If the oil level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool or
warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this message
will clear. This message will clear itself after 10 seconds
until the next ignition cycle.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
If your vehicle has a low coolant sensor and the engine
coolant level is low, this message will appear on the
DIC. Adding coolant will clear the message. This
message will clear itself after 10 seconds until the next
ignition cycle.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Stop the vehicle and let the engine
idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a safe
temperature. This message will clear when the coolant
temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.
Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message will clear when the engine
has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message is displayed and a chime will sound when
the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine coolant protection mode.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29for further
information.
You may also see this message when the vehicle
determines a problem with the electronic throttle control.
See your dealer for service.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
If the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this
problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the
select button will acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.
3-66

Lamp on page 3-47. Reinstall the fuel cap, making sure
to fully install the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on
page 5-7. The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light and message off.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will appear
on the DIC. Adding washer uid will clear the message.
Pressing the select button will acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. If you do not
clear this message, it will clear itself after 10 seconds
until the next ignition cycle.
TRANSMISSION HOT
If the transmission uid temperature becomes high, the
message center will display this message.
When the transmission enters the protection mode, you
may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. When the transmission uid temperature
returns to normal, the display will turn off and the
transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, youcan damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator.
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down. If
the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on a
frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE
If the transmission uid gets hot, this message will
appear on the DIC along with a continuous chime.
Driving with the transmission uid temperature high can
cause damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and
3-68