2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE maintenance schedule

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.
4-58

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine
air cleaner/lter and the air
lter restriction indicator,
if the vehicle has one.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle has an air lter restriction indicator, it lets
you know when the engine air cleaner/lter needs to be
replaced. On vehicles with a restriction indicator, you
should inspect the air lter restriction indicator at every oil
change and replace the engine air cleaner/lter when the
indicator tells you to.On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Vehicles With an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
Locate the air lter restriction indicator on the engine air
cleaner/lter cover. When the indicator turns black or
is in the red/orange “change” zone, replace the lter and
reset the indicator. See the steps following to replace
the engine air cleaner/lter and to reset the air lter
restriction indicator.
Vehicles Without an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the engine air
cleaner/lter from the vehicle by following Steps 1
through 6. When you have the engine air cleaner/lter
removed, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt.
If the engine air cleaner/lter remains caked with
dirt, a new lter is required.
5-20

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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 in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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
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.
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 5-28.
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.
5-25

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
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 hydraulic system. If it is, have
the brake hydraulic system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added when
the linings are worn, there will be too much uid when
new brake linings are installed. 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 3-39.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake uid. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
5-38

What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Four-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. There are two additional systems that need
lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check transfer case uid
unless you suspect there is a leak, or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
you will need to add some lubricant. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the ller
plug hole. Use care not to overtighten the plug.Automatic Transfer Case
5-48

When to Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to change the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.A:Fill Plug
B:Drain Plug
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise the level from 0 (0 mm) to 1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
below the ller plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
5-49

3. Pull the old bulb from the bulb socket, keeping the
bulb straight as you pull it out.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the bulb
socket.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp 7441
License Plate Lamp 168
Rear Turn Signal Lamp, Taillamp,
and Stoplamp3057
Sidemarker Lamp 194
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Replacement blades come in different types and
are removed in different ways. To replace the wiper
blade assembly, do the following:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from
the windshield.
2. Squeeze the grooved areas on each side of the
blade, and rotate the blade assembly away from
the arm connector.
5-55

8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times to
indicate the sensor identication code has been
matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer active.
The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on
the DIC display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs of
wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-71for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This will
ensure that your vehicle continues to perform most
like it did when the tires were new.Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-71
andWheel Replacement on page 5-76.
When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-64andLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-36.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-67.
5-70