2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE towing

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle 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. Always set your
parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 139.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 414.
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, the
automatic dimming mirror dims to the proper level
to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror has a dual display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face that shows the compass
reading and the outside temperature.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system, if
equipped, are at the bottom of the mirror.
SeeOnStar
®System on page 156for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
145

Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime
sounds there could be a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 472for more information.
This light should come on briey when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If it does not
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 408.
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247

This may prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered
by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 433.This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and
the engine is not running. If the light does
not come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
251

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
on page 209.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light is
displayed when
the Tow/Haul
mode has been
activated.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 414andTow/Haul Mode on page 131.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you
about how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will rst indicate empty before you
are out of fuel, and you should get more fuel
as soon as possible.
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256

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 352
Defensive Driving...................................... 352
Drunken Driving........................................ 353
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 356
Braking...................................................... 356
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 357
Braking in Emergencies............................. 359
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 359
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 359
Steering.................................................... 363
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 365
Passing..................................................... 365
Loss of Control.......................................... 367
Off-Road Driving........................................ 368
Driving at Night......................................... 385
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 387
City Driving............................................... 390
Freeway Driving........................................ 391Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 392
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 393
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 394
Winter Driving........................................... 396
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 400
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 400
Recovery Hooks........................................ 401
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 402
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 407
Towing........................................................ 408
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 408
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 408
Level Control............................................. 413
Towing a Trailer........................................ 414
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 428
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
351

SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 359. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out after a
few tries, it may need to be towed out. Or, you can
use the recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If
your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 408.
Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a
lot of force. Always pull the vehicle
straight out. Never pull on the hooks at a
sideways angle. The hooks could break
off and you or others could be injured
from the chain or cable snapping back.Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged
and it would not be covered by warranty.
Your vehicle has recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle. You may need to use them if you are
stuck off-road and need to be pulled to some place
where you can continue driving.
401

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 492andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 500.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 414for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
403

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 588.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle — such as behind
a motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing
your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 392.
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