Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
3-34 Seats and Restraints
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑16.
{WARNING
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might addto or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle may
have a passenger sensing
system for the right front
passenger position, which
includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the
original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery
or trim, or with GM covers,
upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object,
such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort enhancing
pad or device, installed under or
on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation
of the passenger sensing
system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of
the passenger airbag(s) or
prevent the passenger sensing
system from properly turning off
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-35
the passenger airbag(s). See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑29.
If you have any questions, call
Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑1 or
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (Mexico) on
page 13‑3.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof-rail airbags, see Different
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 10‑66 for additional
important information. Q: Because I have a disability,
I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A: If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See Customer
Satisfaction Procedure (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑1 or
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (Mexico) on
page 13‑3.
In addition, your dealer and the
service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑16 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly. Do
not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑24. See your dealer for
service.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-15
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-16
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-18
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-23
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-23
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-24
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-25
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-26
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-39
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-39
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-40
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-42
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-43
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-44
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization(With DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . 5-53
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-58
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
The tilt lever is located on the lower
left side of the steering column. To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Hold the steering wheel and pull
the lever.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-3
Steering Wheel Controls
If equipped, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.
w(Next) :Press to go to the next
favorite radio station, track on a CD,
or folder on an iPod
®or USB
device.
c/x(Previous/End): Press to
go to the previous favorite radio
station, track on a CD, or folder on
an iPod
®or USB device. Press to
reject an incoming call, or end a
current call. Radio
To select preset or favorite radio
stations:
Press and release
worc/xto
go to the next or previous radio
station stored as a preset or
favorite.
CD/DVD
To select tracks on a CD/DVD:
Press and release
worc/xto
go to the next or previous track.
Selecting Tracks on an iPod or
USB Device (Vehicles without a
Navigation System)
1. Press and hold
worc/x
while listening to a song until the
contents of the current folder
display on the radio display.
2. Press and release
worc/x
to scroll up or down the list, then
press and hold
w, or press¨to
play the highlighted track. Navigating Folders on an iPod or
USB Device (Vehicles without a
Navigation System):
1. Press and hold
worc/x
while listening to a song until the
contents of the current folder
display on the radio display.
2. Press and hold
c/xto go
back to the previous folder list.
3. Press and release
worc/x
to scroll up or down the list.
.To select a folder, press
and hold
w, or press¨
when the folder is
highlighted.
.To go back further in the
folder list, press and hold
c/x.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
While listening to a CD/DVD, press
and hold
¨to quickly move forward
through the tracks. Release to stop
on the desired track.
+
e: Press to increase volume.
−
e: Press to decrease volume.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center
pad on the steering wheel.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The front wiper control is located on
the turn and lane‐change lever.
The windshield wipers are controlled
by turning the band with
zon it.
8(Mist): For a single wipe, turn
to
8, then release. For several
wipes, hold the band on
8longer.
9(Off): Turns the windshield
wipers off.
6(Adjustable Interval Wipes):
Turn the band up for more frequent
wipes or down for less frequent
wipes.
6(Low Speed): Slow
wipes.
?(High Speed): Fast wipes.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced. See Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 10‑35.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. A circuit breaker will
stop the motor until it cools down.
Windshield Washer
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
L(Washer Fluid): Push the
paddle marked with the windshield
washer symbol at the top of the
multifunction lever, to spray washer
fluid on the windshield. The wipers
clear the window and then either
stop or return to the preset speed.
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-21
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some local governments may have
programs to inspect the on-vehicle
emission control equipment. For the
inspection, the emission system test
equipment is connected to the
vehicle’s Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The malfunction indicator lamp is
on with the engine running, or if
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUNwhile the engine is off. See
your dealer for assistance in
verifying proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp.
.The OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics) system determines
that critical emission control
systems have not been
completely diagnosed. The
vehicle would be considered not
ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has
recently been replaced or run
down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
Brake System Warning
Light
With the ignition on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. If the
vehicle is driven with the parking
brake engaged, a chime sounds
when the vehicle speed is greater
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on and a
chime sounds, there could be a
brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
This light can also come on due to
low brake fluid. See
Brake Fluid on
page 10‑28 for more information.
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel. If the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, the trip
odometer reset stem can be used to
access some of the menu items
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The DIC also allows some features
to be customized. SeeVehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑45 for more information. DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization, and set/
reset buttons. The button functions
are detailed in the following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):
Press to display
the odometer, trip odometer, fuel
range, average economy, fuel
used, timer, instantaneous economy
and Active Fuel Management™
indicator, and transmission
temperature. The compass and outside air temperature will
also be shown in the display. The
temperature will be shown in °C or
°F depending on the units selected.
T(Vehicle Information):
Press
to display the oil life, units, tire
pressure readings for vehicles
with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), trailer brake gain
and output information for vehicles
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, engine
hours, compass zone setting, and
compass recalibration.
U(Customization): Press to
customize the feature settings
on your vehicle. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑45 for more information.
V(Set/Reset):Press to set or
reset certain functions and to turn
off or acknowledge messages on
the DIC.