2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, defrost, defog and ventilation of
your vehicle can be controlled with this system.
Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of the vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets and to the oor outlets. The
ow can be divided between vent and oor outlets
depending upon where the knob is placed between the
settings. A little air is directed towards the windshield
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to
the upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield, side window outlets, and second row oor
outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically select
outside air. Recirculation cannot be selected when in
Floor Mode.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging
and Defrosting” later in this section.
By positioning the right knob between two modes,
a combination of those two modes is selected.
The air conditioning compressor will be on unless the
outside temperature is close to freezing.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob all the way counterclockwise to turn the
front system off.
:(Outside Air):Press this button to turn on the
outside air mode. When this mode is selected, air from
outside the vehicle will circulate throughout your vehicle.
An indicator light on the button comes on to show that it
is activated. The outside air mode can be used with
all modes, but it cannot be used with the recirculation
mode. Pressing this button again will cancel the
recirculation mode.
3-21

?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn on the
recirculation mode. When the button is pressed, an
indicator light will come on.
This mode keeps outside air from entering the vehicle. It
can be used to reduce outside air and prevent odors from
entering the vehicle. Recirculation may also help cool the
air inside your vehicle more quickly once the temperature
inside the vehicle is less than the outside temperature.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor, defrost,
or defogging modes. If you try to select recirculation in
one of those modes, the indicator light will ash three
times and turn off. The air conditioning compressor will
also come on when this mode is activated. While in
recirculation mode the windows may fog when the
weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, select either
the defog or defrost mode and increase the fan speed.
Recirculation mode can be turned off by pressing the
button again, or turning off the engine.Temperature Control:Rotate the thumbwheels up or
down to increase or decrease the temperature on the
driver’s side or the passenger side of the vehicle for the
dual zone system, if equipped. Otherwise, turn the center
knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button on the left
knob to turn the air conditioning system on or off. When
A/C is pressed, an indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning has been activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
3-22

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield. Turn the right knob
clockwise to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):The defog mode is used to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
This mode directs air to the windshield, oor outlets,
and side window vents. When this mode is selected,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is close to freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
0(Defrost):The defrost mode is used to remove
fog or frost from the windshield more quickly. This mode
directs a portion of the air to the windshield and side
window vents and some to the oor vents. In this mode,
the system will automatically force outside air into the
vehicle. The recirculation mode cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode. The air conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this setting, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing. Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button on
the right knob to turn on the rear window defogger.
The system will automatically turn off several minutes
after it has been activated. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal
or anything similar to the defogger grid.
3-23

Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
ow-through ventilation system described later in this
section.
You can select different climate control settings for the
driver and passengers.
Driver’s Side Temperature Control
The driver’s side temperature buttons are used to adjust
the temperature of the air coming through the system on
the driver’s side. The temperature can be adjusted even
if the system is turned off. This is possible since outside
air will always ow through the system as the vehicle is
moving forward unless it is set to recirculation mode.
See “Recirculation” later in this section.
Press the + or−buttons to increase or decrease the
cabin temperature. The driver side temperature display
will show the temperature setting decreasing or
increasing.
3-24

Passenger’s Side Temperature Control
The passenger’s temperature buttons can be used to
change the temperature of the air coming through the
system on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The
temperature can be adjusted even if the system is turned
off. This is possible since outside air will always ow
through the system as the vehicle is moving forward
unless it is set to recirculation mode. See “Recirculation”
later in this section.
Press the + or−buttons to increase or decrease the
cabin temperature. The passenger side display will show
the temperature setting decreasing or increasing.
The passenger’s temperature setting can be set to
match the driver’s temperature setting by pressing the
PASS button and turning off the PASS indicator. When
the passenger’s temperature setting is set different than
the driver’s setting, the indicator on the PASS button will
illuminate and both the driver’s side and passenger’s side
temperature displays will be shown.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature,
the air delivery, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the display will change
to show the current temperature(s) and AUTO will
be lit on the display. The current delivery mode
and fan speed will also be displayed for
approximately 5 seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor
will run when the outside temperature is over
about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be
set to outside air. If it is hot outside, the air inlet
may automatically switch to recirculate inside air
to help quickly cool down your vehicle. The light
on the button will illuminate in recirculation.
3-25

2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F
(23°C) temperature setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to regulate. Use the
driver’s or passenger’s temperature buttons to adjust
the temperature setting as necessary. If you choose
the temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C), the
system will remain at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the solar sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature based on sun load and
also turns on your headlamps. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan switch will override this
delay and change the fan to a selected speed.O(On/Off):Press this button to turn off the climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle, and
will be directed to the oor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. Recirculation can be
selected once you have selected vent or bi-level mode.
The temperature can also be adjusted using either
temperature button. If you adjust the air delivery mode or
temperature settings with the system off, the display will
illuminate briey to show you the settings and then return
off. Press the on/off button or the up down arrows on the
fan switch, the defrost button, AUTO button, or the air
conditioning button to turn the system on when it is off.
3-26

Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or fan
speed.
y9 z(Fan):The buttons with the fan symbols
allow you to manually adjust the fan speed. Press the
up arrow to increase fan speed and the down arrow
to decrease fan speed.
Pressing one of these buttons when the system is off
will turn the system on. Pressing one of these buttons
when in automatic control will place the fan under
manual control. The fan setting will remain displayed
and the AUTO light will turn off. The air delivery
mode will remain under automatic control.
yNz(Mode):Press the mode up and down buttons
to manually change the direction of the airow in your
vehicle. Repeatedly press the button until the desired
mode appears on the display. Pressing one of these
buttons when the system is off will change air delivery
mode without turning the system on. Pressing one of
these buttons when in automatic control will place the
mode under manual control.
The air delivery mode setting will be displayed and
the AUTO light will turn off. The fan will remain under
automatic control.
H(Vent):This setting will deliver air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets and to the oor outlets. The ow
can be divided between vent and oor outlets depending
upon where the knob is placed between the settings.
A little air is directed towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield, side window outlets, and second row oor
outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically select
outside air.
-(Defog):See “Defogging and Defrosting” later in
this section.
3-27

@(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on. When the button is pressed,
an indicator light will come on.
This mode keeps outside air from entering the vehicle.
It can be used to reduce outside air and prevent
odors from entering your vehicle. Recirculation may
also help cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly
once the temperature inside the vehicle is less than
the outside temperature.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor,
defrost, or defogging modes. If you try to select
recirculation in one of those modes, the indicator will
ash three times and turn off. The air conditioning
compressor will also come on when this mode is
activated. While in recirculation mode the windows may
fog when the weather is cold and damp. To clear the
fog, select either the defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed. Recirculation mode can be turned off
by pressing the button again, or turning off the engine.
;(Outside Air):Press this button to turn on the
outside air mode. When this mode is selected, air from
outside the vehicle will circulate throughout your vehicle.
An indicator light on the button will come on to let you
know that it is activated. The outside air mode can be
used with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode. Pressing this button again will
cancel the recirculation mode.
Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning (A/C) compressor on and off. When
air conditioning is selected, an indicator light will come
on to let you know that the air conditioning has been
activated.
Pressing this button when the outside temperature is too
cool for air conditioning will make the air conditioning
indicator ash three times and then turn off to let you
know the air conditioning mode is not available. If the air
conditioning is on and the outside temperature drops
below a temperature which is too cool for air conditioning
to be effective, the air conditioning light will turn off to let
you know the air conditioning mode has been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system
to operate more efficiently.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-28