2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE brakes

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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, use the steps that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel-drive
vehicles 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.
425

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission uid (don’t overll), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
426

Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are included with your
vehicle as part of the heavy-duty trailer wiring
package. These provisions are for an electric
brake controller. The instrument panel contains
blunt cut wires near the data link connector for
the trailer brake controller. The harness contains
the following wires:
Dark Blue: Auxiliary
Red/Black: Battery #
Light Blue: Brake Switch
White: Ground
The trailer brake controller should be installed
by your dealer or a qualied service center.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the
Cargo Weight Rating (CWR). CWR is the
maximum weight of the load your vehicle can
carry. It doesn’t include the weight of the people
inside, but you can gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg)
for each seat. The total cargo load must not
be more than your vehicles CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with your trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR.
If you are using a weight-distributing hitch,
weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread
out the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information seeTowing a Trailer
on page 414.
428

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

Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these accessories
may even cause malfunction or damage not
covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to
your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories,
you will know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine GM Accessories.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one,
contain and/or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems (including
some inside the vehicle), many uids, and
some component wear by-products contain
and/or emit these chemicals.
433

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

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 444for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have your
brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well,
or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when your linings are worn, then you
will have too much uid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 246.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to check your brake uid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 563.
472

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking
off the cap.
Look at the brake uid
reservoir. The uid
level should be
above MIN. If it is
not, have your brake
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 574.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 541.
473