2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE check engine light

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-43

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check your brake uid. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
5-41

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive terminal (+) if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
5-49

(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with genuine
GM parts as needed. To help ensure proper operation,
a pressure test of the cooling system and pressure
cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser is recommended at least
once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch
assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl, midgate hinges, side storage box door
hinges, tailgate hinges, tailgate linkage, outer tailgate
handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks, and
folding seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may
be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-28 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
6-8

Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-65
Cargo Lamp Light...........................................3-47
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-64
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-23
Center Overhead Console................................2-63
Chains, Tire...................................................5-83
Charging System Light....................................3-37
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-11
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-110
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-115
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-109
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-107
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-105Cleaning (cont.)
Finish Care...............................................5-107
Inside of Your Vehicle.................................5-103
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-105
Tires........................................................5-109
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-110
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-107
Weatherstrips............................................5-106
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-108
Climate Control System
Dual ..........................................................3-22
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-27
Compass...............................2-45, 2-47, 2-50, 2-52
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-24
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-41
Heater, Engine............................................2-31
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-30
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-47
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-63
3

E
Electrical System...........................................5-113
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-116
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-113
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-114
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-113
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-117
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-113
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-23
Battery.......................................................5-44
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-43
Coolant......................................................5-28
Coolant Heater............................................2-31
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-41
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-44
Fan Noise..................................................5-38
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Life System...........................................5-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-32
Overheating................................................5-30
Starting......................................................2-29
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-20
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28Exterior Cargo Lamps......................................3-19
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finish Damage.............................................5-110
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-114
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-84
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-84
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-100
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-39
Windshield Washer......................................5-40
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-17
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-35, 5-52
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-64
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
5

Fuel (cont.)
Gage .........................................................3-48
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-48
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-116
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-113
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-114
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-117
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-113
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-41
Fuel..........................................................3-48
Oil Pressure...............................................3-45
Speedometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Transmission Temperature.............................3-41
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-37
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-59
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-63
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamps....................................................5-55
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-16
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-54
Daytime Running Lamps.......................3-16, 5-61
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps ....................................................5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-22
Heater...........................................................3-24
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-47
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-38
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-11
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
6