
Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-25
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might
have some other system problem.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel gauge,
comes on briefly while the engine is
being started.This light and a chime come on
when the fuel tank is low on fuel.
The Driver Information Center also
displays a FUEL LEVEL LOW
message. See
Fuel System
Messages on page 5‑39 for more
information. When fuel is added this
light and message should go off.
If they do not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer. If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system.
This light is also used to indicate the
status of the anti-theft alarm system
when the ignition is turned off. The
light will flash rapidly if the alarm
system is arming and one or more
of the monitored entry points is not
closed. The light will stay on if the
alarm is arming and all entry points
are closed.
For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑17.

Black plate (53,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-53
Exiting the Feature
Settings Menu
The feature settings menu will be
exited when any of the following
occurs:
.The vehicle is no longer in
ON/RUN.
.The trip/fuel or vehicle
information DIC buttons are
pressed.
.The end of the feature settings
menu is reached and exited.
.A 40 second time period has
elapsed with no selection made.
Universal Remote
System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Universal Remote System
Programming
Vehicles with the Universal Remote
System will have these buttons
located in the headliner. This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Do not use this system with any
garage door opener that does not
have the stop and reverse feature.
This includes any garage door
opener model manufactured before
April 1, 1982.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
transmitter. Because of the steps
involved, it may be helpful to
have another person assist with
programming the transmitter.
Be sure to keep the original remote
control transmitter for use in other
vehicles, as well as for future
programming. Only the original
remote control transmitter
is needed for Fixed Code
programming. The programmed
buttons should be erased when the

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-55
To program another Rolling Code
device such as an additional garage
door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat
Steps 1 through 5, choosing a
different function button in Step 3
than what was used for the garage
door opener.
If these instructions do not work, the
garage door opener is probably a
Fixed Code unit. Follow the
programming instructions that follow
for a Fixed Code garage door
opener.
Programming Universal Home
Remote—Fixed Code
For questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote
System, call 1-866-572-2728 or
go to www.learcar2u.com.
Most garage door openers sold
before 1996 are Fixed Code units.
Programming a garage door opener
involves time-sensitive actions, so
read the entire procedure before starting. Otherwise, the device will
time out and the procedure will have
to be repeated.To program up to three devices:
1. To verify that the garage door
opener is a Fixed Code unit,
remove the battery cover on the
hand-held transmitter supplied
by the manufacturer of the
garage door opener motor.
If there is a row of dip switches
similar to the graphic above, the
garage door opener is a Fixed Code unit. If you do not see a
row of dip switches, return
to the previous section for
Programming Universal Home
Remote
—Rolling Code.
Your hand-held transmitter can
have between 8 to 12 dip
switches depending on the
brand of transmitter.
The garage door opener receiver
(motor head unit) could also
have a row of dip switches that
can be used when programming
the Universal Home Remote.
If the total number of switches
on the motor head and
hand-held transmitter are
different, or if the dip switch
settings are different, use the dip
switch settings on the motor
head unit to program the
Universal Home Remote. The
motor head dip switch settings
can also be used when the
original hand-held transmitter is
not available.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-57
A. Left Button (Up, +, or On)
B. Middle Button (Middle, 0,or Neutral)
C. Right Button (Down, −, or Off)
4. The indicator lights will blink slowly. Enter each switch setting
from Step 2 into your vehicle's
Universal Home Remote. You
will have two and one-half
minutes to complete Step 4. Now
press one button on the
Universal Home Remote for
each switch setting as follows:
.If you wrote
“Left,”press
the left button (A) in the
vehicle.
.If you wrote “Right,”press
the right button (C) in the
vehicle.
.If you wrote “Middle,”press
the middle button (B) in the
vehicle.
5. After entering all of the switch positions, once again firmly
press and release all three
buttons at the same time. The
indicator lights will turn on. 6. Press and hold the button that
will be used to control the
garage door until the garage
door moves. The indicator light
above the selected button
should slowly blink. This button
may need to be held for up to
55 seconds.
7. Immediately release the button when the garage door moves.
The indicator light will blink
rapidly until programming is
complete.
8. Press and release the same button again. The garage door
should move, confirming that
programming is successful and
complete.
To program another Fixed Code
device such as an additional garage
door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat
Steps 1-8, choosing a different
button in Step 6 than what was used
for the garage door opener.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
7-12 Infotainment System
No XM Signal:The system is
functioning correctly, but the vehicle
is in a location that is blocking the
XM signal. When the vehicle is
moved into an open area, the signal
should return.
Loading XM: The audio system is
acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This
message should disappear shortly.
Channel Off Air: This channel is
not currently in service. Tune in to
another channel.
Channel Unauth: This channel is
blocked or cannot be received with
your XM subscription package.
Channel Unavail: This previously
assigned channel is no longer
assigned. Tune to another station.
If this station was one of the
presets, choose another station
for that preset button.
No Artist Info: No artist
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly. No Title Info:
No song title
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly.
No CAT Info: No category
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly.
No Information: No text or
informational messages are
available at this time on this
channel. The system is working
properly.
No Subscription Please Renew:
The XM subscription needs to
be reactivated. Contact XM at
www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
CAT Not Found: There are no
channels available for the selected
category. The system is working
properly. XM Theftlocked:
The XM receiver
in the vehicle could have previously
been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM receivers cannot be
swapped between vehicles. If this
message is received after having
the vehicle serviced, check with
your dealer.
XM Radio ID: If tuned to channel 0,
this message alternates with the XM
Radio eight‐digit radio ID label. This
label is needed to activate the
service.
Unknown: If this message is
received when tuned to channel 0,
there could be a receiver fault.
Consult with your dealer.
Check Antenna: If this message
does not clear within a short period
of time, the receiver or antenna
could have a fault. Consult with your
dealer.
Check XM Receivr: If this
message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver
could have a fault. Consult with your
dealer.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-7
Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{WARNING
.Unsecured cargo on the load
floor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
.Keep cargo in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as
possible. The heaviest things
should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof.For more information about loading
the vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits
and Tires.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife.
.Do not park over things that
burn. See Parking Over Things
that Burn..
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{WARNING
Many hills are simply too steep
for any vehicle. Driving up hills
can cause the vehicle to stall.
Driving down hills can cause loss
of control. Driving across hills can
cause a rollover. You could be
injured or killed. Do not drive on
steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead
cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before
driving further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
9-20 Driving and Operating
of your vehicle. This is called
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and
cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also
tells you the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on your front and
rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your
vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread
out your load equally on both
sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for
your vehicle, or the GAWR for
either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy
load, you should spread it out.{WARNING
In the case of a sudden stop
or collision, things carried in
the bed of your truck could
shift forward and come into
the passenger area, injuring
you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck,
you should make sure they
are properly secured.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Your warranty does not cover
parts or components that fail
because of overloading.
The label will help you decide
how much cargo and installed
equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change your
weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
If you put things inside your
vehicle —like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else —they will go as fast as the

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-21
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving”
under Off-Road Driving on
page 9‑6.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable
items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you
can carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure to weigh your vehicle
before you buy and install the
new equipment. Notice:
Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.Truck-Camper Loading
Information
The vehicle was neither
designed nor intended to
carry a slide-in type camper.
Notice: Adding a slide-in
camper or similar equipment
to the vehicle can damage it,
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not install a
slide-in camper or similar
equipment on the vehicle.