2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ignition

Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from locking your key in the
vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door
is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the driver’s door will unlock.
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
or if electrical wiring or other cable
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. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-23.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-42.
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.
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This procedure works the same as the procedure
described previously, but when you lower the midgate
with the rear glass in the stored position, you will notice
that the entire crossbar 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 be ready for the extra weight and do not 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 until it latches
into place securely. This will help to ensure that the
midgate closes with enough force to engage the latches.
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
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Power Windows
The controls for the power windows are located on the
armrest on each of the side doors. The switches
operate the windows when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or while Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 2-27.
The driver’s door also has a switch for each of the
passenger’s windows.
Press the top of the switch to lower the window. Pull up
the top of the switch to raise the window.
Express-Down Windows
The driver and front passenger windows also have an
express-down feature that allows the windows to
be lowered without holding the switch. Press down fully
on the window switch, then release, to activate the
express-down mode. This mode can be canceled at any
time by pulling up on the switch. To open the window
partway, press the switch to the rst position until
the window is at the desired position.
Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout):Press the lockout switch to
prevent passengers from operating the power windows
from their switches. A light in the lockout switch will
come on to show that the switch has been activated.
Press the lockout switch again to return to normal
operation.
Sun Visors
Swing down the visors and slide them along the rod to
cover different areas of the front window. You can
also move them to cover the side windows.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull the sunvisor down and lift the mirror cover to turn
on the lamps.
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Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
With this system, the
security light in the
instrument panel cluster
will ash as you open
the door if your ignition
is off.
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here is how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security
light will illuminate to inform the driver the system is
arming. If a door is open when the doors are
locked, the security light will ash.3. Close all doors. The security light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.
If the delayed locking feature is turned on, the
theft-deterrent system will not start the arming
process until the last door is closed and the delay
timer has expired. SeeDelayed Locking on page 2-9.
If a locked door is opened without the key or the remote
keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. The
headlamps and parking lamps will ash for two minutes,
and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will turn
off to save the battery power. You can choose different
feedback options for the alarm. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if
you lock the doors with the vehicle’s key or use the
manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power
door lock switch with the door open, or with the remote
keyless entry transmitter. You should also remember
that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition
key if the alarm has been set off.
2-24

Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock®
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is
disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn
off approximately ve seconds after the key is turned
to RUN.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at this
time. You may also want to check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104. See your
dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed, fast or slow, for
the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-64for more information.
2-26

Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different
positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove the key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. Ifit is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as the
radio in the accessory ignition position may drain the
battery and prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not
operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition
position for a long period of time.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
D (START):This position starts the engine.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature will allow
certain features on your vehicle to continue to work
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or until one of the doors is opened.
2-27

Starting the Engine
Your vehicle is equipped with Starter Motor Control.
This feature assists in starting the engine and protects
the electrical system. This feature may cause the
engine to crank even after the ignition key is not in
START.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will disengage the starter
motor, cause your battery to be drained much
sooner, and add excessive heat that can damage
your starter motor. Try not to hold the key in START
for longer than 15 seconds and wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, while
you hold the ignition key in START. When
the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the
accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or−18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2-28

4m(Four Wheel-High):Use the four-wheel high
position when you need extra traction, such as on snowy
or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting
also engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle.
This is the best setting to use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four Wheel-Low):This setting also engages
your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose Four Wheel-Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills.
StabiliTrak
®will not engage in this mode. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-10for more information.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-38.NEUTRAL (N):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-58orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-58for more information.
Indicator lights in the button show which setting you are
in. The indicator lights will come on briey when you
turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take your vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light will ash while
shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated when
the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer
case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should
take your vehicle to your dealer for service. See “Service
4WD message” underDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-45.Shifting Into Four-Wheel High or AUTO
4WD (Automatic Four Wheel Drive)
Press and release the Four-Wheel High or AUTO 4WD
button. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four Wheel-Low, and the indicator light will
ash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
2-35