2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE engine coolant

ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 460for
more information.
This message displays and a chime sounds
if the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop and turn off the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message clears when the
engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime sounds
when the cooling system temperature gets too
hot and the engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 460for further information.
This message also displays when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.If this message is on, but there is no reduction
in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced.
Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if
the fuel level is low. Refuel as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 256andFuel on page 435
for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if
the hood is not fully closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the hood for obstructions, and
close the hood again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
270

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too
often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode
if the transmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” earlier in this section.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant
at higher altitudes will boil at a lower temperature
than at or near sea level. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle
may show signs similar to engine overheating.To avoid this, let the engine run while parked
(preferably on level ground) with the automatic
transmission in PARK (P) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 460.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
424

Service........................................................ 432
Accessories and Modications................... 433
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 433
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 434
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 435
Fuel............................................................. 435
Gasoline Octane........................................ 436
Gasoline Specications.............................. 436
California Fuel........................................... 436
Additives................................................... 437
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 438
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 439
Filling the Tank......................................... 440
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 442
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 442
Hood Release........................................... 443
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 444
Engine Oil................................................. 446
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 449Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 451
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 454
Engine Coolant.......................................... 457
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 460
Engine Overheating................................... 460
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 463
Cooling System......................................... 464
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 469
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 469
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 470
Brakes...................................................... 472
Battery...................................................... 475
Jump Starting............................................ 476
Rear Axle.................................................... 482
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 483
Front Axle................................................... 484
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 485
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
429

{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood do the following:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it.
It is located inside
the vehicle to the
lower left of the
steering wheel.2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and locate
the secondary hood release, near the center
of the grille.
3. Push the secondary hood release to the right.
4. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller
caps are on properly. Then bring the hood
from full open to within 6 inches (152 mm)
from the closed position, pause, then push
the front center of the hood with a swift,
rm motion to fully close the hood.
443

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 451.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 451.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 464and
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 460.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 476.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 475.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 446.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick.
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 454.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 476.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil
on page 446.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System
on page 464.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering Fluid on page 469.
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
“Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 472.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 551.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 470.
445

Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using
the procedure described previously. Consistency
(repeatable readings) is important to maintaining
proper uid level. If readings are still inconsistent,
contact your dealer.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 574.
Using a funnel, add uid down the transmission
dipstick tube only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only
as a reference. If the uid level is low, add only
enough of the proper uid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overll.Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 574.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine,
see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more
information.
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs rst,
if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
457

The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 460.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
458

Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only
the proper mixture of the engine coolant
listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 574for more information.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 444for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the FULL COLD mark.
If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant
sensor and the LOW COOLANT LEVEL message
comes on and stays on, it means you are low
on engine coolant. See “LOW COOLANT LEVEL”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 267.
459