2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE tow

Midgate®Drain Grate Removal and
Cleaning
The removable Midgate drain grate is located near the
base of the Midgate.After hauling dirt, wood chips, pebbles etc. the Midgate
drain should be ushed with water. First remove the
drain grate:
1. Lower the Midgate
®. SeeMidgate®on page 2-13
for more information.
2. Pull up on the rear side of the drain grate, tilt it
toward the front of the vehicle, and pull it out.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the drain grate.
2-91

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Trip Odometer.............................................
.3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-31
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-33
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-37
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-38
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-41
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-43
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-43
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-44
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-30.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-37.
F.Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-41(If Equipped).
G.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
H.Audio System(s) on page 3-76.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 3-14.
J.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-18.Instrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-17.Fog Lamps
on page 3-16(If Equipped).
K. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-43.
L.Cruise Control on page 3-11.M.Tilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N.Horn on page 3-6.
O.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-130.
P.Climate Control System on page 3-20orDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-23
(If Equipped).
Q.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-19. Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-20.
R.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. Pedal Adjust
Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal on page 2-35.Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) on page 2-58(If Equipped). Heated
Windshield Washer Fluid Button (If Equipped).
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-10.Power Assist
Steps on page 2-24(If Equipped).
S.Glove Box on page 2-76.
3-5

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G: Turn and Lane Change Signals
53: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
N: Windshield Wipers
L: Windshield Washer
Flash-to-Pass.
Exterior Lamps.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. The turn signals automatically
ash three times. It will ash six times if the tow-haul
mode is active. Holding the turn signal lever for
more than one second causes the turn signals to ash
until the lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting position when it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane change the arrows
ash rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb may be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeInstrument Panel Fuse Block
on page 5-109andUnderhood Fuse Block on
page 5-112.
3-7

Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will
also appear in the DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58. To turn the chime and
message off, move the turn signal lever to the off
position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, push the
lever toward the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on. They
will stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. Release the lever to return to normal
operation.
3-8

When the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is
on, the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
stay on for 10 minutes before automatically turning off to
prevent the battery from being drained. Turn the
headlamp control to off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when the
headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned on
and the key is out of the ignition. To turn off the chime,
turn the headlamp switch to off or AUTO and then
back on, or close and re-open the door. In the AUTO
mode, the headlamps turn off once the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF or may remain on until the headlamp
delay ends (if enabled in the DIC). See “Exit Lighting”
underDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-67.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in P (Park).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps
control to the OFF position and then release. For
vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission must be
in the P (Park) position, before the DRL lamps can
be turned off.
3-15

9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise to turn the front
system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the airow
inside the vehicle. The knob can be positioned between
two modes, for a combination of those modes.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and oor outlets. Some 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):Air is directed to the oor outlets, with some
of the air directed to the windshield, side window, and
second row oor outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air. Recirculation cannot
be selected when in Floor Mode.
-(Defog):The defog mode is used to clear the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield, oor outlets, and side window vents. In this
mode, the system turns off recirculation and runsthe air conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
0(Defrost):The defrost mode is used to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly. Air is
directed to the windshield and side window vents, with
some directed to the oor vents. In this mode, the
system automatically forces outside air into the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in
the defrost mode. The air conditioning compressor runs
automatically in this setting, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. An indicator light
comes on to show that the air conditioning is on. The air
conditioning can be selected in any mode as long as
the fan control is on.
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 under the
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is
normal.
3-21

2. Set the driver and passenger 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 or
passenger temperature buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 60°F (15°C) is chosen, the system
remains at the maximum cooling setting. If a
temperature setting of 90°F (32°C) is chosen, the
system remains at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Do not 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 the 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.Manual Operation
DC(Fan Control):Press these buttons to increase or
decrease the fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while in automatic control
places the fan under manual control. The fan setting
remains displayed and the AUTO light turns off. The air
delivery mode remains under automatic control.
HG(Air Delivery Mode Control):Press these buttons
to change the direction of the airow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press either button until the desired mode
appears on the display. Pressing either mode button
while the system is off changes the air delivery mode
without turning the system on. Pressing either mode
button while in automatic control places the mode under
manual control.
The air delivery mode setting will be displayed and the
AUTO light turns off. The fan remains under automatic
control.
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and oor outlets. Some air is directed towards the
windshield and side window outlets.
3-25