2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE check engine

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-64. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-80.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-70.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-44.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
6-10

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-44.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-11

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding
ability: With the engine running and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Hood Support Gas Strut Service
Visually inspect gas strut for signs of wear, corrosion,
cracks, loss of lubricant, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of gas strut. If necessary, replace
with genuine parts from your dealer/retailer.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-15

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