2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE recommended oil

Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button
to scroll through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you
see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display,
that means 99% of the current oil life remains.
The engine oil life system will alert you to change
your oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on
the display. See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 267.
You should change your oil as soon as you can.
SeeEngine Oil on page 446. In addition to
the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life,
additional maintenance is recommended in
the Maintenance Schedule in this manual.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 563
for more information.Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself.
Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display
accidentally at any time other than when the oil has
just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately
until the next oil change. To reset the engine oil life
system, seeEngine Oil Life System on page 449.
Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in
this display, press the set/reset button to select
between ENGLISH or METRIC units. All of
the vehicle information will then be displayed in
the unit of measurement selected.
Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, the pressure for each tire can be viewed in
the DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Press the vehicle information button until the
DIC displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ##
RIGHT ##. Press the vehicle information button
again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES PSI (kPa)
LEFT ## RIGHT ##.
262

The trip odometer has a feature called the
retro-active reset. This can be used to set the
trip odometer to the number of miles (kilometers)
driven since the ignition was last turned on.
This can be used if the trip odometer is not reset
at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature, press and
hold the trip odometer reset stem for at least
four seconds. The trip odometer will display the
number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) driven
since the ignition was last turned on and the
vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins
moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles
(8 km) before it is started again, and then
the retro-active reset feature is activated, the
display will show 5 miles (8 km). As the vehicle
begins moving, the display will then increase
to 5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
If the retro-active reset feature is activated after
the vehicle is started, but before it begins moving,
the display will show the number of miles (mi)
or kilometers (km) that were driven during the
last ignition cycle.Oil Life
To access this display, the vehicle must be in
PARK (P). Press the trip odometer reset stem until
OIL LIFE REMAINING displays. This display
shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful
life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on
the display, that means 99% of the current oil
life remains. The engine oil life system will alert
you to change your oil on a schedule consistent
with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on
the display. See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 267. You should change your oil as
soon as you can. SeeEngine Oil on page 446.
In addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance
is recommended in the Maintenance Schedule
in this manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 563for more information.
265

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a
major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of the
tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make
you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it does,
your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with
a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your vehicle’s mirrors
and instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get
some exercise, or both. For safety, treat
drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
393

For good starting and heater efficiency below
32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should
contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not
to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85.
If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add
less than three gallons (11 L) when refueling.
You should drive the vehicle immediately
after refueling for at least seven miles (11 km)
to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to rell your fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 440.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and may harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. Damage caused by additives would
not be covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel
might be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline
or any other fuel not recommended in the
previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by
use of improper fuel would not be covered by
your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club,
or contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
439

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. Look for and use only
an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30
is best for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the
container. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this information on the oil container, and
use only those oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst
symbol on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied
For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure
to use the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
448

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 267. Change your oil
as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you
must change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
449

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 566, and
be sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 574.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false
reading on the dipstick.Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could come out
and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system
parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be
at normal operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
454

{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.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant
and the proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove
the coolant surge
tank pressure
cap when the
cooling system,
including the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
467