2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ABS

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

Midgate®Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with a Midgate®and a
removable rear glass panel. The Midgate®allows you to
extend the length of your vehicle’s cargo area.The following are the main components of the Midgate
®
system:
A. Latch Levers
B. Grab Handles
C. Glass-Catch
Release Button
D. Glass Lock
KnobsE. Window Retaining Tabs
F. Midgate
®Release
Handle
G. Window Alignment
Arrows
2-14

4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out from
the lower window frame channel. Use the grab
handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.
5. Load the rear glass into the storage pocket in the
Midgate
®, guiding the lower edge of the rear glass
behind the three rear glass retaining tabs (E).
Hold the rear glass at against the storage pocket,
with grab handles facing you, until the next step.
2-17

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

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-36.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for all brake
related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
The StabiliTrak indicator
light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on on while driving,
there might be a problem with the StabiliTrak
®
system and the vehicle may need service. When this
warning light is on, the system is off and does not limit
wheel spin.
The light ashes if the system is active and is working
to assist the driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
3-37

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-26
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-27Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-28
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-28
Winter Driving..............................................4-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-33
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-34
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-40
Towing..........................................................4-40
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-40
Level Control...............................................4-46
Autoride
®.....................................................4-47
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-47
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-67
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-37.
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailer for
service.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. The brakes might
vibrate or some noise might be heard, but this is normal.
4-5

Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to
assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied
the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow
down the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic
brake control module increases brake pressure at each
corner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor
brake pedal pulsations or pedal movement during this
time is normal and the driver should continue to
apply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictates
The Brake Assist feature will automatically disengage
when the brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement
system called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer
controlled system that assists the driver with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to insure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h). In some cases, it may take approximately
two miles of driving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak activates,
the cruise control automatically disengages. The
cruise control can be re-engaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
4-6