2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE brake light

The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
For information on StabiliTrak
®, seeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-9.
Use these buttons to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
You can choose among four driving settings:
AUTO 4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This
setting is ideal for use when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s
power is sent only to the rear wheels. When the
vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will
automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than
Two-Wheel High.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations. Your front
axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting
also provides the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use the four-wheel high
position when you need extra traction, such as on snowy
or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting
also engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle.
This is the best setting to use when plowing snow.4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages
your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose Four Wheel-Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills.
StabiliTrak
®will not engage in this mode. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-9for more information.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-57orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-56for more information.
2-36

Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Low
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Four-Wheel High,
AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High, your vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the ignition in
RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of
Four-Wheel Low is to have your vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the
Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High
button. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High, AUTO
4WD or Two-Wheel High indicator light to stop
ashing and remain on before shifting your transmission
into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from
NEUTRAL with the engine running.If the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or Two-Wheel High
switch is pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or
moving, the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD or
Two-Wheel High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds
but will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission
is in NEUTRAL (N).
Shifting into NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the Two-Wheel High
and Four-Wheel Low buttons for 10 seconds. The
NEUTRAL light will come on when the transfer case
shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
2-38

7. If the engine is running, verify that the transmission
is in NEUTRAL (N) by shifting the transmission to
REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the
transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY, which will turn
the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel High, AUTO
4WD, or Four-Wheel Low).
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the NEUTRAL light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake.Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To
help avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to
enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the
transfer case from possible damage and will only allow
the transfer case to respond to one shift per
10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for
up to three minutes.
2-39

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light will ash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least
three seconds.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-62.
2-40

Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-39
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-40
Traction Off Light..........................................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-41
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-43
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-45
Security Light...............................................3-46
Cruise Control Light......................................3-47
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-47
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-47
Cargo Lamp Light.........................................3-47
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-50
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-53
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-64Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Setting the Time...........................................3-71
Radio with CD..............................................3-72
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-83
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-98
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-98
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-110
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-112
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-112
Radio Reception.........................................3-113
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-114
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-114
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-114
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-115
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-115
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. SeeExterior Cargo
Lamps on page 3-19.
D. Automatic Transfer Case Buttons (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-35.
E. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeOnStar®System on page 2-57and
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-112.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-32andTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-35.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-70.
I. Dome Override Button. SeeDome Lamp Override
on page 3-20.
J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17.K. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49.
O. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40.
P. Climate Control System. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-24orDual
Climate Control System on page 3-22.
Q. Lighter (If Equipped) or Accessory Power Outlet
(If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-21andAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-21.
R. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-21.
S. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-9.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-63.
3-5

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The cruise light on the
instrument panel will
illuminate when the cruise
control is engaged.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. But you do not need to
reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you
can move the cruise control switch briey from on to
resume/accelerate.
You will go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or
apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, do not
hold the switch at resume/accelerate.
3-12

Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
Step lightly on the brake pedal,
move the cruise control switch to off, or
shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak®feature, cruise
control will turn off if road conditions cause
StabiliTrak
®to activate.
If the accelerator pedal is held longer than
60 seconds, cruise control will turn off.
The cruise control will turn off automatically if the
traction control system or StabiliTrak
®system activate, if
your vehicle is equipped with either feature.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The control on the driver’s side of your instrument panel
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
9(Off):Turn the knob to this position and release it to
turn off all exterior lamps including the DRL. To turn any
lamps back on when in the off mode, turn the knob to the
desired lamp mode. To return to the AUTO mode, turn
the knob to the off position and release it. The off or
AUTO mode will also cancel and the lamps will return to
the AUTO when the vehicle is turned off. This mode is not
available for vehicles sold in Canada.
3-14