
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

Object Detection Systems...............................2-58
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)...........................................2-58
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)............................2-61
OnStar
®System.............................................2-66
Universal Home Remote System......................2-69
Universal Home Remote System Operation
(With Three Round LED)............................2-70Storage Areas................................................2-76
Glove Box...................................................2-76
Cupholders..................................................2-76
Center Overhead Console..............................2-76
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-76
Center Console Storage.................................2-76
Luggage Carrier...........................................2-77
Cargo Cover Panels......................................2-78
All-Weather Cargo Area.................................2-87
Top-Box Storage..........................................2-92
Sunroof.........................................................2-93
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
OnStar®System (if equipped)
Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door
is opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition to START. When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will slow down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also prevents cranking if the
engine is already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2-34

Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close the sunroof, the ignition needs
to be turned to ON/RUN, or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) must be active. When RAP is active, the
sunroof will work for 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, or until a front door is opened. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-34for more
information.
There are two switches in
the overhead console that
operate the sunroof.Manual-Open/Manual-Close:To open the sunroof
press and hold the rear of the driver’s side switch until
the sunroof reaches the desired position. To close
the sunroof, press and hold the front of the driver’s side
switch until the sunroof reaches the desired position.
The sunshade will open automatically with the sunroof,
but can also be opened manually.
The sunroof has a comfort stop feature which stops the
sunroof from opening to the full-open position. From
the comfort stop position, press the rear of the driver’s
side switch a second time to open the sunroof to
the full-open position.
When the sunroof is opened, an air de ector will
automatically raise. The air de ector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
2-93

Express-Open/Express-Close:To express-open the
sunroof, fully press and release the rear of the
driver’s side switch. The sunroof will open automatically.
To stop the sunroof partway, press the switch a
second time. To express-close the sunroof, fully press
and release the front of the driver’s side switch. The
sunroof will close automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a second time. The sunshade
will open automatically with the sunroof, but can also
be opened manually.
The sunroof has a comfort stop feature which stops the
sunroof from opening to the full-open position. From
the comfort stop position, press the rear of the driver’s
side switch a second time to open the sunroof to
the full-open position.
When the sunroof is opened, an air de ector will
automatically raise. The air de ector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
Vent:The sunroof has an express-vent open feature.
From the closed position, press the rear of the
passenger’s side switch to vent the sunroof. To stop the
sunroof partway, press the switch a second time. To
close the sunroof, press and hold the front of the
passenger’s side switch. To stop the sunroof partway,
release the switch.Anti-Pinch Feature:If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the anti-pinch feature will
detect the object and stop the sunroof from closing at
the point of the obstruction. The sunroof will then
open halfway, and the air de ector will raise. To close
the sunroof once it has re-opened, refer to the
“Express-Close” or “Manual-Close” functions described
previously. If the sunroof is in the vent position, and
there is an object in the path of the sunroof when
it closing, the anti-pinch feature will detect the object
and stop the sunroof. To close the sunroof once it has
re-opened, refer to the “Manual-Close” or
“Express-Close” functions described previously.
Do not keep the sunroof open for long periods of time
while the vehicle is not in use. Debris can collect in
the tracks, damage the sunroof operation and plug the
water draining system.
2-94

4. Press the trip/fuel button until the vehicle heading, for
example, N for North, is displayed in the DIC. Or, if
the vehicle does not have DIC buttons, press and
hold the trip odometer reset stem for two seconds to
select the next available variance zone. Repeat this
step until the appropriate variance zone is displayed.
5. If calibration is necessary, calibrate the compass.
See “Compass Calibration Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually calibrated. Only calibrate
the compass in a magnetically clean and safe location,
such as an open parking lot, where driving the vehicle in
circles is not a danger. It is suggested to calibrate
away from tall buildings, utility wires, manhole covers, or
other industrial structures, if possible.
If CAL should ever appear in the DIC display, the
compass should be calibrated.
If the DIC display does not show a heading, for example,
N for North, or the heading does not change after
making turns, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic CB or cell phone antenna
mount, a magnetic emergency light, magnetic note pad
holder, or any other magnetic item. Turn off the
vehicle, move the magnetic item, then turn on the
vehicle and calibrate the compass.
To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure the
compass zone is set to the variance zone in
which the vehicle is located. See “Compass
Variance (Zone) Procedure” earlier in this section.
Do not operate any switches such as window,
sunroof, climate controls, seats, etc. during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until
PRESS
VTO CALIBRATE COMPAS (Compass)
displays. Or, if the vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, press the trip odometer reset stem until
CALIBRATE COMPASS displays.
3. Press the set/reset button to start the compass
calibration. Or, if the vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, press and hold the trip odometer reset stem
for two seconds to start the compass calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in tight circles at less
than 5 mph (8 km/h) to complete the calibration. The
DIC will display CALIBRATION COMPLETE for a
few seconds when the calibration is complete. The
DIC display will then return to the previous menu.
3-57

Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with the
vehicle’s radio. This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls, charging the phone’s
battery, or simply having the phone on. This interference
causes an increased level of static while listening to
the radio. If static is received while listening to the radio,
unplug the cellular phone and turn it off.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged as long as it is securely
attached to the base. If the mast becomes slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent,
replace it.
Occasionally check to make sure the antenna is
tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten by
hand. until fully seated plus one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof of
the vehicle. Keep the antenna clear of obstructions for
clear radio reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
3-132

Fuses sage
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30Passenger Side High-Beam
Headlamp
31 Daytime Running Lamps
32 Driver Side High-Beam Headlamp
33 Daytime Running Lights 2
34 Sunroof
35Key Ignition System, Theft Deterrent
System
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Up tter Usage (Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable Pedals
39 Climate Controls (Battery)
40 Airbag System (Ignition)
41 Ampli er
42 Audio SystemFuses sage
43Miscellaneous (Ignition), Cruise
Control
44 Liftgate Release
45 Airbag System (Battery)
46 Instrument Panel Cluster
47 NOT USED
48 Auxiliary Climate Control (Ignition)
49 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
50 Rear Defogger
51 Heated Mirrors
52 SEO B1 Up tter Usage (Battery)
53Cigarette Lighter, Auxiliary Power
Outlet
54Automatic Level Control Compressor
Relay, SEO Up tter Usage
55 Climate Controls (Ignition)
56Engine Control Module, Secondary
Fuel Pump (Ignition)
5-114