2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE engine overheat

You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-33for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-33for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-33for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
5-31

If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or the
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE message, along
with a low coolant condition, can indicate a serious
problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-47.
If you get the ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or
the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE message
with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in the
overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,
see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
5-32

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows the vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15.
Engine Fan Noise
The vehicle has electric cooling fans. You might hear
the fans spinning at low speed during most everyday
driving. The fans can turn off if no cooling is required.
Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, or if you are operating the
air conditioning system, the fans can change to
high speed and you might hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and indicates that the cooling system
is functioning properly. The fans change to low speed
when additional cooling is no longer required.
5-33

Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key®III+...........................................2-30
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-30
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-39
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-36
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-33
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-33
Overheating................................................5-30
Starting......................................................2-34
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-18
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-37
Exterior Cargo Lamps......................................3-17
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finish Damage.............................................5-106
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-132
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-79
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-80
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-95
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-43
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-43, 5-46
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-76
Front Axle......................................................5-47
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Driving for Better Economy............................. 4-2
5

Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals...................... 1-8
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58
Midgate
®.......................................................2-13
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-55
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-55
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-57
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-58
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-56
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-56
Park Tilt .....................................................2-57
MP3 ....................................................3-96, 3-101
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-5
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.....................................................3-108
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-32
O
Odometer......................................................3-31
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-31
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-41
Pressure Light.............................................3-42
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-37
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-66
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-70
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-19
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-57
Heated Mirrors............................................2-58
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-56
Power Mirrors.............................................2-56
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-33
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian.............................................. iii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-106
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-50
Shifting Out of............................................2-52
Park Aid................................................2-58, 2-61
9