2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ECU

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
Be sure to align the rear glass
side-to-side using the alignment
arrows (G).
5. Apply a firm downward pressure and then push the rear glass flat
against the window frame. Use
the grab handles (B) at the top
of the rear glass to assist you.6. Push the rear glass flat againstthe window frame and push
each latch lever up until it locks.
You should hear a click when
each latch lever locks correctly.
Lowering the Midgate with the
Rear Glass in Place
The Midgate can be lowered to
allow the cargo area of your vehicle
to extend into the cab. The rear
glass can be either installed in its
normal position, or it can be
removed and stored in the rear
glass storage pocket. To lower the Midgate:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front
seats might have to be moved
forward slightly to allow the rear
seats to fold. See Rear Seats on
page 3‑10.
Rear Glass in Normal Position
2. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold the Midgate securely so it
does not fall forward. Turn the
Midgate handle clockwise and
pull the Midgate toward you.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows
Raising the Midgate
To return the Midgate to its normal
position, raise the Midgate up with a
firm swinging motion until it latches
into place securely. This will help to
ensure that the Midgate closes with
enough force to engage the latches.
If the rear glass is removed and you
would like to put it back, do so using
the instructions given previously.
Tailgate
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride
on the tailgate, even when the
vehicle is operated at low speeds.
People riding on the tailgate
can easily lose their balance and
fall in response to vehicle
maneuvers. Falling from a moving
vehicle may result in serious
injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Be sure everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a safety
belt properly.
Use the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or power
door lock switch to lock and unlock
the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its
handle while pulling the tailgate
toward you.
To close the tailgate, push it firmly
upward until it latches. Push and
pull on the tailgate to be sure it is
latched securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate is not to be removed.
This may cause damage to
electrical connector resulting in
loss of lock/unlock and rear vision
camera function.
Power Assist Steps
The vehicle may have power assist
steps.
The switch used to disable the
power assist steps is located on the
center console below the climate
control system.
The power assist steps
automatically extend from beneath
the vehicle on the side in which the
door has been opened. Once the
door is closed, the assist steps
automatically move back under the
vehicle after a brief delay. The
vehicle must not be moving for the
assist steps to extend or retract.
The assist steps cannot be disabled
in the extended position.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-17
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Your vehicle has a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
This is the security light.
To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the RemoteKeyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
or the power door lock switch.
The security light will come on to
inform the driver the system is
arming. If a door is open when
the doors are locked, the
security light will flash. If the delayed locking feature is
turned on, the theft‐deterrent
system will not start the arming
process until the last door is
closed and the delay timer has
expired. See
Delayed Locking
on page 2‑8.
3. Close all doors. The security light should go off after about
30 seconds. The alarm is not
armed until the security light
goes off.
The content theft deterrent
system does not sense if the
midgate or tailgate are open or
ajar, therefore, vehicle contents
may not be protected if the
midgate is left open or ajar.
If a locked driver door is opened
without using the RKE transmitter,
a ten second pre-alarm will occur.
The horn will chirp and the lights will
flash. If the key is not placed in the
ignition and turned to START or the
door is not unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm, the alarm will go off. Your
vehicle's headlamps will flash and
the horn will sound for about
30 seconds, then will turn off to
save the battery power.
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked with
the vehicle's key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use the
power door lock switch with the door
open or the RKE transmitter. You
should also remember that you can
start your vehicle with the correct
ignition key if the alarm has been
set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.If you do not want to activate the
theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle should be locked with
the door key after the doors are
closed.
.Always unlock the doors with the
RKE transmitter. Unlocking a
door any other way will set off
the alarm if it is armed.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows
If you set off the alarm by accident,
press unlock on the RKE transmitter
or place the key in the ignition and
turn it to START to turn off the
alarm. The alarm will not stop if you
try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lowerthe driver window and open the
driver door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while
the door is open, or with the
RKE transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for the security
light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the
manual door lock and open the
door. This should set off the
alarm. While the alarm is set, the power
door unlock switch will not work.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should but the headlamps flash,
check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, see
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 10‑46 andEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10‑41.
If the alarm does not sound or the
headlamps do not flash, the vehicle
should be serviced by your dealer.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑19 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned to
ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light will come on if
there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When the PASS-Key III+ system
senses that someone is using
the wrong key, it prevents the
vehicle from starting.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-19
Anyone using a trial-and-error
method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the
security light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, there may be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and
try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑41. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who
can service the PASS-Key III+ to
have a new key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key III+
decoder to learn the transponder
value of a new or replacement key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed
for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the
currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see
your dealer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key III+ to have keys
made and programmed to the
system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key III+ to get a
new key blank cut exactly as the
ignition key that operates the
system.
To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1
stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the
engine will not start, see your
dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. 4. Insert the new key to be
programmed and turn it to the
ON/RUN position within
five seconds of turning the
ignition to the LOCK/OFF
position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be
programmed.
If you lose or damage your
PASS-Key III+ key, see your dealer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key III+ to have a new
key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26 Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-31
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-44
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-45
Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-45
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-51
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-53
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-61
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-62
Securing Child Restraints (Center Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-64
Securing Child Restraints (Right Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-64

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
3-22 Seats and Restraints
3. Push the latch plate into thebuckle until it clicks. If you find
that the latch plate will not go
fully into the buckle, see if you
are using the correct buckle.
Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see Safety
Belt Extender on page 3‑27.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary. 4. If equipped with a shoulder belt
height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster”
in this section for instructions on
use and important safety
information.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull
up on the shoulder belt.
It may be necessary to pull
stitching on the safety belt
through the latch plate to fully
tighten the lap belt on smaller
occupants.
To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should
return to its stowed position.
Before a door is closed, be sure the
safety belt is out of the way. If a
door is slammed against a safety
belt, damage can occur to both the
belt and the vehicle.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-27
To make the belt shorter, pull its free
end as shown until the belt is snug.
If the belt is not long enough, see
Safety Belt Extender on page 3‑27.
Make sure the release button on the
buckle is positioned so you would
be able to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly if necessary.
If you find that the latch plate will
not go fully into the buckle, see if
you are using the correct buckle. Be
sure that the latch plate clicks when
inserted into the buckle.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer will order you
an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you
will wear, so the extender will be
long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone
else use it, and use it only for the
seat it is made to fit. The extender
has been designed for adults. Never
use it for securing child seats. To
wear it, attach it to the regular safety
belt. For more information, see the
instruction sheet that comes with
the extender.
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety
belt reminder light, safety belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt systemfrom doing its job. See your dealer
to have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or
frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. See
Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑16 for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑27.
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.