2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
All axle assemblies are lled by volume of uid during
production. They are not lled to reach a certain
level. When checking the uid level on any axle,
variations in the readings can be caused by factory ll
differences between the minimum and the maximum
uid volume. Also, if a vehicle has just been driven
before checking the uid level, it may appear lower than
normal because uid has traveled out along the axle
tubes and has not drained back to the sump area.
Therefore, a reading taken ve minutes after the vehicle
has been driven will appear to have a lower uid
level than a vehicle that has been stationary for an hour
or two. Remember that the rear axle assembly must
be supported to get a true reading.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
For 5.3L engines, the proper level is from 0.04 inch
to 0.75 inch (1.0 mm to 19.0 mm) below the bottom
of the ller plug hole, located on the rear axle.
Add only enough uid to reach the proper level.
For 6.0L engines, the proper level is from 0.6 inch
to 1.6 inches (15 mm to 40 mm) below the bottom
of the ller plug hole, located on the rear axle.
Add only enough uid to reach the proper level.
5-45

What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Four-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. There are two additional systems that need
lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check transfer case uid
unless you suspect there is a leak, or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ll plug hole, you
will need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ll plug hole. Use
care not to overtighten the plug.Active Transfer Case
5-46

When to Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to change the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.A:Fill Plug
B:Drain Plug
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise the level from 0 (0 mm) to 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm) below the ller plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
5-47

What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim of the headlamps have been preset at
the factory and should need no further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the aim
of the headlamps can be affected and adjustment
can be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you, this
can mean the vertical aim of your headlamps needs
to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to be
adjusted. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described.The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver seat.
Have tires properly inated.
Have the spare tire is in its proper location in the
vehicle.
5-48

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-13
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the aim dot
on the low-beam headlamp.4. At a wall measure from the ground upward (A) to
the recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall or at
surface the width of the vehicle at the height of the
mark in Step 4.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted. This allows only the
beam of light from the headlamp being adjusted
to be seen on the at surface.
5-49

7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a E8
Torx
®socket.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp
beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the
angle of the beam.9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp is
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape
line. The lamp on the left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B) shows the
incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite
headlamp.
5-50

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-53.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Turn
Signal/Taillamp
B. Back-up Lamp
C. Stoplamp/Turn
Signal/Taillamp
D. Sidemarker Lamp
5-51

To replace one of these bulbs, do the following:
1. Open the tailgate. SeeTailgate on page 2-23for
more information.
2. Remove the two
screws from the
taillamp assembly.
3. Pull the taillamp assembly rearward until you
disengage the outer pins on the taillamp assembly
from the vehicle.4. Press the release tab, if the bulb socket has one,
and turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to
remove it from the taillamp assembly.
5. Pull the old bulb straight out from the bulb socket.
6. Press a new bulb into the bulb socket and insert the
bulb socket into the taillamp assembly. Turn the
bulb socket clockwise into the taillamp assembly
until it clicks.
7. Reinstall the taillamp assembly making sure to line
up the pins with the vehicle.
5-52