2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

Collision Damage Repair
If your vehicle is involved in a collision and it is
damaged, have the damage repaired by a qualied
technician using the proper equipment and quality
replacement parts. Poorly performed collision repairs
will diminish your vehicle’s resale value, and safety
performance can be compromised in subsequent
collisions.
Collision Parts
Genuine GM Collision parts are new parts made with the
same materials and construction methods as the parts
with which your vehicle was originally built. Genuine GM
Collision parts are your best choice to assure that your
vehicle’s designed appearance, durability and safety are
preserved. The use of Genuine GM parts can help
maintain your GM New Vehicle Warranty.
Recycled original equipment parts may also be used for
repair. These parts are typically removed from vehicles
that were total losses in prior accidents. In most
cases, the parts being recycled are from undamaged
sections of the vehicle. A recycled original equipment
GM part, may be an acceptable choice to maintain your
vehicle’s originally designed appearance and safety
performance, however, the history of these parts is not
known. Such parts are not covered by your GM New
Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any related failures
are not covered by that warranty.Aftermarket collision parts are also available. These are
made by companies other than GM and may not
have been tested for your vehicle. As a result, these
parts may t poorly, exhibit premature durability/
corrosion problems, and may not perform properly in
subsequent collisions. Aftermarket parts are not covered
by your GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any
vehicle failure related to such parts are not covered
by that warranty.
Repair Facility
GM also recommends that you choose a collision repair
facility that meets your needs before you ever need
collision repairs. Your GM dealer may have a collision
repair center with GM-trained technicians and state
of the art equipment, or be able to recommend a
collision repair center that has GM-trained technicians
and comparable equipment.
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Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. There
are signicant differences in the quality of coverage
afforded by various insurance policy terms. Many
insurance policies provide reduced protection to your
GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage repairs
by using aftermarket collision parts. Some insurance
companies will not specify aftermarket collision
parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that
you assure your vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts. If such insurance
coverage is not available from your current insurance
carrier, consider switching to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts. Read
your lease carefully, as you may be charged at the
end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If an Accident Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in an accident.
Try to relax and then check to make sure you
are all right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no
one else in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is
injured.
If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Do not
leave the scene of an accident until all matters
have been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if
its position puts you in danger or you are
instructed to move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the accident.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental
frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident.
This will help guard against post-accident legal
action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-5for more information.
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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.
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Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair
Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live
with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your
insurance company may initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine GM
parts, even if your insurance coverage does not pay
the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for the
repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:
1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or
write to:
Administrator, NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
7-14

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
7-15

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-21
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-52
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-68
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-30
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-23
Air Conditioning......................................3-22, 3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-35
Readiness Light..........................................3-34
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-54
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-68
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-61
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-63
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-68
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-62
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-56
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-114
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-115
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-39Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-109
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-106
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-110
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-107
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle..............5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-105
Finish Care...............................................5-107
Finish Damage..........................................5-110
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-105
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-110
Tires........................................................5-109
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-110
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-111
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-107
Weatherstrips............................................5-106
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-108
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-21
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-112
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-114
Care of Your CDs and DVDs .......................3-114
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-115
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-114
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-98
Radio with CD............................................3-72
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-83
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Audio System(s) (cont.)
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-110
Setting the Time..........................................3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-112
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-113
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-115
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-32
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-18
B
Battery..........................................................5-44
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-37
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-40
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-30
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-27Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-61
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps ....................................................5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
Headlamps.................................................5-55
License Plate Lamps....................................5-62
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-63
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-61
Buying New Tires...........................................5-78C
Calibration.............................2-45, 2-47, 2-50, 2-52
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-122
Carbon Monoxide...........2-11, 2-20, 2-44, 4-40, 4-62
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-106
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-114
Your CDs and DVDs ..................................3-114
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-78
2