2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to
NEUTRAL till it stops and hold it for
10 seconds. Then slowly release the dial to
the four low position. The NEUTRAL light will
come on when the transfer case shift to
NEUTRAL is complete.
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. Release the parking brake prior to moving
the vehicle.
11. 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. Turn the transfer case dial to the desired
transfer case shift position (Two-Wheel
Drive High, Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO).
After the transfer case has shifted out of
NEUTRAL the NEUTRAL light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving
the vehicle.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear
before the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator
light has stopped ashing could damage the
transfer case. To help avoid damaging
your vehicle, always wait for the Four-Wheel
Drive 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.
137

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.
138

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 414.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. With four-wheel
drive, if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL,
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if
your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear — not in NEUTRAL. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 414.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right
foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by pulling the shift lever toward
you and moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear — not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
139

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and your
transfer case is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle
will be free to roll, even if your shift lever
is in PARK (P). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and
even catch re. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave your vehicle with
the engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you move the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
140

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before
you leave the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 139.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) before you release the
parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, then you will be able to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK.
You have to fully apply your regular brakes
rst and then press the shifter lever button before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 128.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear.
141

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
142

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the
road or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system
has been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming
into your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
143

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running.
But if you ever have to, here are some things
to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 143.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 396.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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).
144