2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE traction control

Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels will
not get good traction. You cannot accelerate as
quickly, turning is more difficult, and you will need longer
braking distances.
It’s best to use a low gear when you are in mud — the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep
mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle moving so you do
not get stuck.
When you drive on sand, you will sense a change in
wheel traction. But it will depend upon how loosely
packed the sand is. On loosely packed sand, such as
on beaches or sand dunes, your tires will tend to
sink into the sand. This has an effect on steering,
accelerating and braking. Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.
On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control.
On wet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you
will have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get
moving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause
you to slide out of control.{CAUTION:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers can
be dangerous. Underwater springs, currents
under the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the
ice. Your vehicle could fall through the ice and
you and your passengers could drown. Drive
your vehicle on safe surfaces only.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle is a 1500 Series, don’t use tire
chains. They can damage your vehicle because
there’s not enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the brakes,
suspension or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.Notice:If your vehicle is a 2500 Series, use tire
chains only where legal and only when you must.
Use chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Don’t
use chains on the tires of the front axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
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Light (cont.)
Security.....................................................3-43
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-44
Traction Off................................................3-37
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-18
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-47
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-10
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-16
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-45
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-58
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-15
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Memory Seat.................................................2-82
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Midgate.........................................................2-11
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-46
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-43
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist.............................................2-51
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-48
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-50
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-50
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-49
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
8

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-41
Top-Box Storage.............................................2-74
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-33
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-44
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-58
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-64
Your Vehicle...............................................4-58
Traction
Assist System (TAS)...................................... 4-8
Off Light.....................................................3-37
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-10
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-64
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Temperature Gage.......................................3-38
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-31
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-63
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-103
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-71
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-47
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-58
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-103
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-103
Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat..............................................2-82
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-28
Visors...........................................................2-23
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-35
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