2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE instrument panel

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
8-2 Climate Controls
Temperature Control:Move
the thumbwheels up or down
to increase or decrease the
temperature on the driver side or
the passenger side of the vehicle.
A(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the direction of the airflow
inside the vehicle. The knob can be
positioned between two modes, for
a combination of those modes.
To change the current mode, select
one of the following:
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor):
Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
-(Defog): The defog mode is
used to clear the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield, floor outlets, and side
window vents. In this mode, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is
close to freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in
the defog mode.
0(Defrost): The defrost mode is
used to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly. Air is
directed to the windshield and side
window vents, with some directed to the floor vents. In this mode, the
system automatically forces outside
air into the vehicle. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode. The air
conditioning compressor runs
automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):
Press this
button to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. An indicator
light comes on to show that the
air conditioning is on. The air
conditioning can be selected in any
mode as long as the fan control
is on.
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
8-6 Climate Controls
When AUTO is selected, the air
conditioning operation and air
inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run when the
outside temperature is over
about 4°C (40°F). The air inlet
will normally be set to outside
air. If it is hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch to
recirculate inside air to help
quickly cool down the vehicle.
The light on the button comes on
in recirculation.
2. Set the driver and passenger temperature.
To find your comfort setting, start
with a 23°C (74°F) temperature
setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to
regulate. Use the driver or
passenger temperature buttons
to adjust the temperature setting
as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 15°C (60°F) is chosen, the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting. If a
temperature setting of 32°C
(90°F) is chosen, the system
remains at the maximum heat
setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature
based on sun load and also turns
on the headlamps. For more
information on the solar sensor, see
“Sensors” later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system will delay
turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch will override this delay and
change the fan to a selected speed.Manual Operation
D C(Fan Control): Press these
buttons to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while in
automatic control places the fan
under manual control. The fan
setting remains displayed and the
AUTO light turns off. The air
delivery mode remains under
automatic control.
H G(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press these buttons to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press either button until
the desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing either mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning the
system on. Pressing either mode
button while in automatic control
places the mode under manual
control.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-7
The air delivery mode setting will be
displayed and the AUTO light turns
off. The fan remains under
automatic control.
H(Vent):Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some to the
windshield, side window outlets, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents. In
this mode, the system turns off
recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is close to freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
0(Defrost):
This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some directed to the floor
vents. In this mode, the system
automatically forces outside air into
the vehicle and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
The passenger temperature control
cannot be activated while in defrost
mode. If the PASS button is
pressed, the button indicator flashes
three times and will not work. If the
passenger temperature buttons are
adjusted, the driver temperature
indicator changes. The passenger
temperature will not be displayed. If vent, bi-level, or floor mode is
selected again, the climate control
system displays the previous
temperature settings.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):
Press to
turn the air conditioning (A/C)
compressor on and off. An indicator
light comes on to show that the air
conditioning is on.
If this button is pressed when the air
conditioning compressor is
unavailable, the indicator flashes
three times and then turns off. If the
air conditioning is on and the
outside temperature drops below a
temperature which is too cool for air
conditioning to be effective, the air
conditioning light turns off to show
that the air conditioning mode has
been canceled.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-9
Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the
defrost grille, middle of the
instrument panel, monitors the
solar heat. Do not cover the solar
sensor or the system will not work
properly.
There is also an interior
temperature sensor located
next to the steering wheel that
measures the temperature of the
air inside your vehicle.There is also an exterior
temperature sensor located behind
the front grille. This sensor reads
the outside air temperature and
helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on the
front of the vehicle could cause a
false reading in the displayed
temperature.
The climate control system uses the
information from these sensors to
maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan
speed, and the air delivery mode.
The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will
also be used as needed to maintain
cool outlet temperatures.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
8-10 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the air outlets located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to adjust the
direction and amount of airflow
inside the vehicle.
Move the louvers up or down to
adjust the direction of the airflow.
Use the thumbwheel next to or
underneath the outlet to adjust the
amount of airflow from the louvers.
Operation Tips
.Keep the hood and front air
inlets free of ice, snow, or any
other obstruction, such as
leaves. The heater and defroster
will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of
your windows.
.Keep the air path under the front
seats clear of objects. This helps
air to circulate throughout your
vehicle.
.Adding outside equipment to the
front of your vehicle, such as
hood-air deflectors, etc., may
affect the performance of the
heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer
before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
9-14 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑9. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems” in
the Index.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑31.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
9-22 Driving and Operating
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
.Keep the vehicle speed at
88 km/h (55 mph) or less for
the first 805 km (500 miles).
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 805 km
(500 miles). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 miles) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer Towing
on page 9‑71 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal
On vehicles with this feature, you
can change the position of the
throttle and brake pedals.
No adjustment to the pedals can
be made when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse) or while using cruise
control.
The control used to adjust the
pedals is located on the instrument
panel below the climate control
system.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-25
C (ON/RUN):This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning
and indicator lights. This position
can also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position on automatic transmission
vehicles. If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START):
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when
the driver door is opened and the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the
ignition.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.