2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE inflation pressure

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-59
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inflated simply by
looking at them. Radial tires may
look properly inflated even when
they are under-inflated. Check
the tire's inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. Cold means
your vehicle has been sitting for
at least three hours or driven no
more than 1.6 km (1 mile).
Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no
further adjustment is necessary.
If the pressure is low, add
air until you reach the
recommended amount.If you overfill the tire, release
air by pushing on the metal stem
in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Be sure to put the valve caps
back on the valve stems. They
help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under‐inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under‐inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under‐inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
10-60 Vehicle Care
Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under‐inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start‐ups as
long as the malfunction exists.When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑61 for
additional information.Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry Canada
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.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-61
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the vehicle's tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the TPMS
illuminates the low tire pressure
warning light located on the
instrument panel cluster.If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑24.
At the same time, a message to
check the pressure in a specific tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed by
the driver. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays, see Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑28 andTire
Messages on page 5‑44.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) is
getting low and needs to be inflated
to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of your vehicle's
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressure for your
vehicle's tires when they are cold.
See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑24, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location on your vehicle.
Also see Tire Pressure on
page 10‑58.

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer for
service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message come on
and stay on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. Any time you
rotate your vehicle's tires or replace
one or more of the TPMS sensors,
the identification codes will need to
be matched to the new tire/wheel
position. The sensors are matched
to the tire/wheel positions in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear
tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your dealer for service. The TPMS sensors can also be
matched to each tire/wheel position
by increasing or decreasing the
tire's air pressure. If increasing the
tire's air pressure, do not exceed
the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the tire's sidewall.
To decrease air pressure out of a
tire you can use the pointed end of
the valve cap, a pencil-style air
pressure gauge, or a key.
You have two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer than two minutes to match
the first tire and wheel, or more than
five minutes to match all four tire
and wheel positions, the matching
process stops and you need to
start over.
The TPMS sensor matching process
is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to
ON/RUN with the engine off. 3. Press the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter's lock
and unlock buttons at the
same time for approximately
five seconds. The horn sounds
twice to signal the receiver is in
relearn mode and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem. Activate the
TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire's air pressure
for five seconds, or until a horn
chirp sounds. The horn chirp,
which may take up to
30 seconds to sound, confirms
that the sensor identification
code has been matched to this
tire and wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-65
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑66 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑71.
When rotating the vehicle's tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Do not include the spare tire in
the tire rotation. After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See
Tire Pressure on
page 10‑58 andVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑24.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑61.
Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
When changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑73.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
10-66 Vehicle Care
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions influence when you need
new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or
less of tread remaining. Some
commercial truck tires may not have
treadwear indicators.See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑64
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑64 for
additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This is also true for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
not being used. Multiple conditions
affect how fast this aging takes
place, including temperatures,
loading conditions, and inflation
pressure maintenance. Tires will
typically need to be replaced due to
wear before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber. Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for your vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed on
your vehicle, when it was new, were
designed to meet General Motors
Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system
rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends that
you get tires with the same TPC
Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are
designed to give the same
performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the
original tires.

Black plate (87,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
12. Lower the jack byturning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Keep
lowering the jack until the
spare tire slides off the jack or
is hanging by the cable.
{WARNING
Someone standing too close
during the procedure could be
injured by the jack. If the spare
tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is
behind you or on either side of
you as you pull the jack out from
under the spare.
13. Disconnect the jack handle from the jack and carefully
remove the jack. Use one hand
to push against the spare while
firmly pulling the jack out from
under the spare tire with the
other hand. If the spare tire is hanging from
the cable, insert the hoist end
of extension, and wheel
wrench into the hoist shaft hole
in the bumper and turn the
wheel wrench counterclockwise
to lower the spare the rest of
the way.
14. Turn the wheel wrench in the hoist shaft hole in the bumper
clockwise to raise the cable
back up if the cable is hanging
under the vehicle.
Have the hoist assembly inspected
as soon as you can. You will not be
able to store a spare or flat tire
using the hoist assembly until it has
been inspected and/or replaced.
To continue changing the flat tire,
see “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing on page 10‑75.
Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a
fully-inflated spare tire. A spare tire
may lose air over time, so check its
inflation pressure regularly. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑58 and
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑24
for information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading your vehicle.
For instruction on how to remove,
install or store a spare tire, see
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare” and“Storing a
Flat or Spare Tire and Tools” under
Tire Changing on page 10‑75.
Notice: If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until you can have your flat
tire repaired and/or replaced. You
could damage the vehicle, and
the repair costs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never
use four-wheel drive when the
different size spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑11.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter.
Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑8 and
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑98. Worn or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See
Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑34.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑58.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑64.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See
Tire Rotation on page 10‑64.
.Fluids visual leak check
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and
the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Lubricate the front suspension,
steering linkage, and parking
brake cable guides. Control arm
ball joints are maintenance‐free.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, folding seat
hardware, midgate hinges, and
tailgate hinges, linkage, and
handle pivot points lubrication.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6. More
frequent lubrication may be
required when the vehicle is
exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
.Restraint system components
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑27.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.