2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
..............................................1-13
Safety Belts
.............................................1-15
Child Restraints
.......................................1-37
Airbag System
.........................................1-62
Restraint System Check
............................1-78
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-25
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-28
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-32
Mirrors
....................................................2-55
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-58
OnStar
®System
......................................2-66
Universal Home Remote System
................2-69
Storage Areas
.........................................2-76
Sunroof
..................................................2-93Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-29
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-46
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-76
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-40
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-45
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-46
Front Axle
...............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-54
Tires
......................................................5-55
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner ManualM

Appearance Care
...................................5-100
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-107
Electrical System
....................................5-107
Capacities and Specications
...................5-116
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, and the
names AVALANCHE and Z71 are registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles
rst sold in Canada, substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specic vehicle.
Read this manual from beginning to end to learn about
the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols,
and words work together to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Index
To quickly locate information about the vehicle use the
Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 15911388 A First Printing
©2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
iii

Safety Warnings and Symbols
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this”
or “Do not let this happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about
things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore
the warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid
or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions.A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle.
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not be covered by the
vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice
tells what to do to help avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use
the same words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

✍NOTES
vi

Head Restraints...............................................1-2
Front Seats......................................................1-3
Manual Seats................................................1-3
Power Seats..................................................1-4
Manual Lumbar..............................................1-5
Power Lumbar ...............................................1-6
Heated Seats.................................................1-7
Heated and Cooled Seats................................1-7
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals....................1-8
Reclining Seatbacks......................................1-10
Center Seat.................................................1-13
Rear Seats.....................................................1-13
Rear Seat Operation.....................................1-13
Safety Belts...................................................1-15
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone................1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly.................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt.........................................1-29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy..................1-35
Lap Belt......................................................1-35
Safety Belt Extender.....................................1-37
Child Restraints.............................................1-37
Older Children..............................................1-37
Infants and Young Children............................1-41Child Restraint Systems.................................1-45
Where to Put the Restraint.............................1-48
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH)..................................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position...................................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position..........................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position............................1-59
Airbag System...............................................1-62
Where Are the Airbags?................................1-65
When Should an Airbag Inate?.....................1-67
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................
.1-68
How Does an Airbag Restrain?.......................1-68
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?.....1-69
Passenger Sensing System............................1-70
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle...........1-76
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle....................................................1-77
Restraint System Check..................................1-78
Checking the Restraint Systems......................1-78
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash......................................................1-79
Section 1 Seats and Restraint System
1-1

Head Restraints
The front seats have adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
{CAUTION:
With head restraints that are not installed and
adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a
crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury
in a crash.
1-2