2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE roof

or with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket
seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing
system. This could either prevent proper deployment
of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-69.
If you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you modify
your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
If your vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels on page 5-74
for additional important information.Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual
have information about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and airbag
wiring.
1-75

Object Detection Systems...............................2-58
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA).............2-58
OnStar
®System.............................................2-61
Universal Home Remote System......................2-64
Universal Home Remote System Operation
(With Three Round LED)............................2-64
Storage Areas................................................2-71
Glove Box...................................................2-71
Cupholders..................................................2-71Center Overhead Console..............................2-71
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-71
Center Console Storage.................................2-71
Luggage Carrier...........................................2-72
Rear Storage Area........................................2-73
Cargo Cover Panels......................................2-73
All-Weather Cargo Area.................................2-85
Top-Box Storage..........................................2-89
Tonneau Cover............................................2-90
Sunroof.........................................................2-96
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
OnStar®System (if equipped)
Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door
is opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver’s door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position – this
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm
up and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage.
To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition
switch to the ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2-32

Luggage Carrier
The vehicle may have a luggage carrier that can be
used to load things on top of the vehicle.
The luggage carrier has siderails attached to the roof.
It may also have crossrails which can be moved
back and forth to help secure cargo. Tie the load
to the siderails or siderail supports.
Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that
weighs more than 200 lbs (91 kg) or hangs over
the rear or sides of the vehicle may damage your
vehicle. Load cargo so that it rests on the slats
as far forward as possible and against the side rails,
making sure to fasten it securely.
Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-36.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo while you are
driving, check to make sure the luggage and cargo are
still securely fastened.Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, cut a
piece of 3/8 inch plywood to t inside the crossrails
and siderails to spread the load. Tie the plywood
to the siderail supports.
Tie the load to the crossrails or the siderail
supports. Use the crossrails only to keep the load
from sliding. To move a crossrail, lift the release
lever, on both sides of the rail, up to loosen it. Slide
the crossrail to the desired position balancing the
force side to side. Press the release lever on both
sides of the rail, down to tighten it. Try to slide the
crossrail back and forth slightly to be sure it is tight.
If you need to carry long items, move the crossrails
as far apart as they will go. Tie the load to the
crossrails and the siderails or siderail supports. Also
tie the load to the bumpers. Do not tie the load so
tightly that the crossrails or siderails are damaged.
After moving a crossrail, be sure it is securely locked
into the siderail.
Your vehicle has a Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) located above the rear glass.
If items are loaded on the roof of the vehicle, care
should be taken not to block or damage the CHMSL unit.
2-72

Reverse the procedure to reinstall the tonneau cover
using the following suggestions:
When reinstalling the front rail, start by holding the
back edge of the rail up and then twisting the back
edge down while pushing it into place.
Both bows are the same size and therefore
interchangeable.
When placing the bows in the side rails, it is easiest
to place the spring-loaded bow end in rst.
When placing the bows,
locate the small notches
in the side rails. These
notches receive the tang
on the bow ends and
help the bows seat into
place.
When reinstalling the tonneau cover, start at the
front, near the cab. Place the plastic lip into the front
rail, then the rear rail, and nish with the side rails.
To clean the tonneau cover, use mild soap and water.
If necessary, use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt
trapped in the grain of the material.
Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close the sunroof, the ignition needs
to be turned to ON, or Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
must be active. When RAP is active, the sunroof will work
for 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off, or until a
front door is opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-32for more information.
There are two switches in
the overhead console that
operate the sunroof.
Manual-Open/Manual-Close:To open the sunroof
press and hold the rear of the driver’s side switch until
the sunroof reaches the desired position. To close the
sunroof, press and hold the front of the driver’s side
switch until the sunroof reaches the desired position.
The sunshade will open automatically with the sunroof,
but can also be opened manually.
2-96

The sunroof has a comfort stop feature which stops the
sunroof from opening to the full-open position. From the
comfort stop position, press the rear of the driver’s side
switch a second time to open the sunroof to the full-open
position.
When the sunroof is opened, an air deector will
automatically raise. The air deector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
Express-Open/Express-Close:To express-open the
sunroof, fully press and release the rear of the driver’s
side switch. The sunroof will open automatically. To stop
the sunroof partway, press the switch a second time.
To express-close the sunroof, fully press and release
the front of the driver’s side switch. The sunroof will
close automatically. To stop the sunroof partway, press
the switch a second time. The sunshade will open
automatically with the sunroof, but can also be opened
manually.
The sunroof has a comfort stop feature which stops the
sunroof from opening to the full-open position. From the
comfort stop position, press the rear of the driver’s side
switch a second time to open the sunroof to the full-open
position.When the sunroof is opened, an air deector will
automatically raise. The air deector will retract when the
sunroof is closed.
Vent:The sunroof has an express-vent open
feature. From the closed position, press the rear of
the passenger’s side switch to vent the sunroof. To stop
the sunroof partway, press the switch a second time.
To close the sunroof, press and hold the front of the
passenger’s side switch. To stop the sunroof partway,
release the switch.
Anti-Pinch Feature:If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the anti-pinch feature will
detect the object and stop the sunroof from closing
at the point of the obstruction. The sunroof will then
open halfway, and the air deector will raise. To close
the sunroof once it has re-opened, refer to the
“Express-Close” or “Manual-Close” functions described
previously. If the sunroof is in the vent position, and there
is an object in the path of the sunroof when it closing, the
anti-pinch feature will detect the object and stop the
sunroof. To close the sunroof once it has re-opened,
refer to the “Manual-Close” or “Express-Close” functions
described previously.
2-97

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps
control to the OFF position and then release. For
vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission must be
in the PARK (P) position, before the DRL lamps can
be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the headlamp
switch is in AUTO, the automatic headlamp system will
turn on the headlamps at the normal brightness along
with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, roof marker lamps, and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission must
be in the PARK (P) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel. Be sure it is not covered, or
the system will be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems
so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and automatic
headlamp system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
the delay.
3-16

XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall
buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and out. In addition,
traveling or standing under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or through tunnels could cause loss of the
XM signal for a period of time. The radio may display
NO XM SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly
bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
of the vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and
ice build up for clear radio reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM™ system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
Loading items onto the roof of the vehicle can interfere
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make
sure the XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is not obstructed.
3-120