2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE towing

Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-32for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
The ENGINE COOLANT HOT message, along with a
low coolant condition, can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-62.
If you get the ENGINE COOLANT HOT message with
no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.3. If you are in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving — DRIVE (D).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, park, and fast
idle your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle is
equipped with an engine-driven cooling fan, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is about twice
as fast as normal idle speed for at least three minutes
while you are parked.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle is
equipped with an electric engine cooling fan, idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also,
see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-31

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-18.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan5.3L V8 Engine
5-32

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
If your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan, when
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing, and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages, so
you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and the clutch
disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
If your vehicle has electric cooling fans, you may hear
the fans spinning at low speed during most everyday
driving. The fans may turn off if no cooling is required.
Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, or if you are operating your
air conditioning system, the fans may change to
high speed and you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and indicates that the cooling system
is functioning properly. The fans will change to low
speed when additional cooling is no longer required.
5-38

(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

If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s
name, the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), insurance company
and policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the accident. They will walk you through
the information they will need. If they ask for a
police report, phone or go to the police department
headquarters the next day and you can get a
copy of the report for a nominal fee. In some states
with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not
be necessary. This is especially true if there are no
injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer or a
private collision repair facility to x the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
7-13

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radios..........................................................3-70
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-114
Care of Your CDs and DVDs .......................3-114
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-98
Radio with CD............................................3-72
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-83
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-110
Setting the Time..........................................3-71
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-112
Understanding Reception............................3-113
Reading Lamps..............................................3-20
Rear Axle......................................................5-51
Locking........................................................ 4-8
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-10
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-110
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-98
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-8
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-24
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-65Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-50
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-52
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®and Compass.................................2-45
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display . . . 2-47
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-45
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-57
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-89
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-86
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-63
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-70
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-29
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
10

Tires (cont.)
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-65
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-81
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-81
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-77
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-83
Top-Box Storage.............................................2-82
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-35
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-47
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-57
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-62
Your Vehicle...............................................4-56
Traction
Off Light.....................................................3-40
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-9
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-75
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-25
Temperature Gage.......................................3-41
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-32
Trip Odometer................................................3-33
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-56
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-113
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-80
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-59
Operation...................................................2-60
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-46
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-64
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-112
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-112
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-90
Memory Seat..............................................2-90
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-30
Visors...........................................................2-24
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-37
13