2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

to use it. The ethanol in E-85 is a “renewable” fuel,
meaning it is made from renewable sources such as corn
and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E-85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://www.afdc.doe.gov/refueling_mapsite.shtml) that
can help you nd E-85 fuel. Those stations that do have
E-85 should have a label indicating ethanol content.
Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content isgreaterthan
85%. Your vehicle may not operate properly if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E-85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E-85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E-85, it may be because your E-85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may improve
starting. Your vehicle is designed to accommodate a
mixture of gasoline and E-85 fuel. For good starting and
heater efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel
tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol.
E-85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to rell your fuel tank more often when
using E-85 than when you are using gasoline. Regularunleaded gasoline is recommended when pulling a
trailer. For payload capacity with ethanol fuel, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E-85 fuel and may harm your fuel system. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered by
your new vehicle warranty. Do not use additives
with E-85 fuel.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to
you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Keep sparks, ames, and smoking materials
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling your vehicle — this
is against the law in some places. Keep
children away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on the
last turn as you loosen it.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise
to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel
from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-98.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on
the last turn as you tighten it. Make sure the cap is
fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-40.
5-8

The TIGHTEN FUEL CAP message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is
not properly installed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-49for more information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-40.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{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 with this
symbol on it. It is
located inside the
vehicle to the lower left
of the steering column.
5-10

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push the
secondary hood release lever to the left. This
lever is located under the front emblem for vehicles
with gray body–side cladding, and above the
emblem for vehicles with no body–side cladding.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all ller caps are on
properly. Pull down the hood and close it rmly. Vehicles with Body-Side Cladding
Vehicles without Body-Side Cladding
5-11

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the VORTEC™ 5300 V8 engine, here is what you will see:
5-12

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-30andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-28.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
F. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-30.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-42.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-36.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-38.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-107.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-36.
5-13

When you open the hood on the VORTEC™ 8100 V8 engine, here is what you will see:
5-14