2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE instrument cluster

{CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to,
any airbag when it inates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer the best protection for adults, but
not for young children and infants. Neither the
vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag
system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle. To read how,
seeOlder Children on page 1-29orInfants and
Young Children on page 1-31.
There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag
symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-34
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-56

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-34for more on this, including
important safety information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or
other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has
the passenger sensing system. SeeAdding Equipment
to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-68for
more information about modications that can affect how
the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
1-67

Sun Visors
Sun Visors with Slide Rod
Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor
down to block glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount and slide it along the rod from side-to-side
to cover the driver or passenger side of the front
window. Swing the sun visor to the side to cover the
side window. It can be moved along the rod from
side-to-side in this position also.
Sun Visors with Fixed Rod and Pull-out
Extension
Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor
down to block glare. Pull the sun visor extender out
for additional coverage. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount and swing it to the side to cover the
side window.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle has lighted visor vanity mirrors on both the
driver’s and passenger’s sun visors. Pull the sun
visor down and lift the mirror cover to turn the lamps on.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
With this system, the
security light in the
instrument panel cluster will
ash as you open the door
if your ignition is off.
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here is how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security
light will illuminate to inform the driver the system is
arming. If a door is open when the doors are
locked, the security light will ash.
2-24

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-41. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-62.
2-32

Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The button is located
on the end of the column shift lever. Press the button
to enable or disable the tow/haul mode. You can use this
feature to assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-62for more information.
Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you will see the
buttons shown below. You can send your engine’s
driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get
the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you
must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that
follows before using four-wheel drive.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low for
an extended period of time may cause premature
wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on
clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel-Drive High or
Four-Wheel-Drive Low for extended periods of time.
The transfer case buttons
are located to the left of
the instrument panel
cluster.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-17
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-18
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-19
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-19
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-19Dome Lamp Override....................................3-20
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-20
Reading Lamps............................................3-20
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-21
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Trip Odometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-35
Charging System Light..................................3-37
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever for
less than one second until the arrow starts to ash. This
will cause the turn signals to automatically ash three
times. It will ash six times if the tow-haul mode is
active. Holding the turn signal lever for more than one
second will cause the turn signals to ash until you
release the lever. The lever will return by itself when it
is released.An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers will not see your turn
signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a blown
fuse. SeeInstrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-114
andUnderhood Fuse Block on page 5-117.
3-8