2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE check engine light

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
4-33

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

(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all
pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with genuine parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn
or damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 5-55andWindshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-104for more information.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also see Checking the Restraint Systems
on page 1-76.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,
midgate hinges, side storage box door hinges, tailgate
hinges, tailgate linkage, outer tailgate handle pivot
points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks, and folding
seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
6-8

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-118
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-120
Audio System(s).............................................3-78
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-35
B
Battery..........................................................5-41
Electric Power Management..........................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-19
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-38
System Warning Light..................................3-39
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-30
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-50
License Plate Lamps....................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-72
C
Calibration.............................................2-49, 2-52
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-115
Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-22, 2-48, 4-31
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-102
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-85
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-73
CD, MP3 .............................................3-96, 3-101
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-71
Center Overhead Console................................2-71
Center Seat...................................................1-11
Chains, Tire...................................................5-78
Charging System Light....................................3-38
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-46
Older Children.............................................1-35
2

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Diesel
Running Out of Fuel....................................2-48
Disc, MP3............................................3-96, 3-101
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override......................................3-18
Dome Lamps .................................................3-18
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays..................3-51, 3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-66
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-59
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-27
Before a Long Trip......................................4-29
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-30
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-28
Off-Road ....................................................4-12Driving (cont.)
Recovery Hooks..........................................4-35
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-34
Winter........................................................4-31
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-107
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-108
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-108
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-108
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-111
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-108
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-28
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-28
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-43
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-34
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
4

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-42
Fuel..........................................................3-49
Oil Pressure...............................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-39
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-64
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-71
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints..............................................1-11
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-50
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-53
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-16
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...........................................................3-21
Engine Coolant...........................................2-34
Heater...........................................................3-24
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-48
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-30
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-19I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-30
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-64
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-18
Cluster.......................................................3-33
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6

O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-46
Pressure Light.............................................3-47
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-61
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-64
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-56
Power Mirrors.............................................2-54
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode....5-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-105
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-45
Shifting Out of............................................2-47
Park Aid........................................................2-58
Park Brake....................................................2-44
Parking
Assist........................................................2-58
Over Things That Burn.................................2-47
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-69
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-28
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-28
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-108
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-32
Running Boards..........................................2-22
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-36
Windows....................................................2-24
9