Page 405 of 494

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-71
Rear Position
Rear Tire Flat: If the flat tire is
on a rear tire of the vehicle, use
the jack handle (B) and both jack
handle extensions (C). Attach
the wheel wrench (D) to the jack
handle extensions (C). Attach
the jack handle (B) to the
jack (A). Use the jacking pad (E)
provided on the rear axle. Turn
the wheel wrench (D) clockwise
to raise the vehicle. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire to clear the
ground.5. Remove all the wheel nuts.
6. Take off the flat tire.
{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. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
8. Install the spare tire. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 406 of 494

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-72 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel after mounting
the spare tire.
10. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel
wrench to tighten the wheel
nuts until the wheel is held
against the hub.
11. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
12. Tighten the nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown
by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise.
When reinstalling the regular wheel
and tire, also reinstall the center
cap. Line the tab on the back of the
tab with the slot in the wheel. Place
the cap on the wheel and press until
it snaps into place. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 407 of 494

Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-73
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
Notice: Storing an aluminum
wheel with a flat tire under your
vehicle for an extended period of
time or with the valve stem
pointing up can damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel
with the valve stem pointing
down and have the wheel/tire
repaired as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.
A. Spare Tire/Flat Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extension(s)
J. Spare Tire Lock 1. Put the tire on the ground at the
rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem pointed down, and to
the rear.
2. Tilt the tire. Separate the tire/
wheel retainer from the guide
pin. Pull the pin through the
center of the wheel. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 410 of 494
Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-76 Vehicle Care
3. Loosen the cable by turning thewrench counterclockwise three
or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the spare tire
lowers to the ground, continue
with Step 5 under “Removing the
Spare Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑66.
5. If the spare does not lower, turn the wrench counterclockwise
until approximately 15 cm (6 in)
of cable is exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with the backs
facing each other.
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
7. Place the bottom edge of the jack (A) on the wheel blocks (B),
separating them so that the jack
is balanced securely.
8. Attach the jack handle,extension, and wheel wrench to
the jack and place it (with the
wheel blocks) under the vehicle
toward the front of the rear
bumper.
9. Position the center lift point ofthe jack under the center of the
spare tire. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 417 of 494

Black plate (83,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-83
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice:Incorrectly towing a
disabled vehicle may cause
damage. The damage would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Have the vehicle towed on a flatbed
car carrier or a wheel lift tow truck.
If a wheel lift tow truck is used, the
drive wheels cannot contact the
road while the vehicle is being
towed. A wheel dolly must be used
to lift all drive wheels off the ground.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in this
section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle –such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towing
are known as dinghy towing and
dolly towing. Dinghy towing is
towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground. Dolly towing
is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels up on a device known as a
dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 418 of 494

Black plate (84,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-84 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles and
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a
Single Speed Automatic
Transfer Case
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles and
four-wheel drive vehicles with a
single speed automatic transfer
case should not be towed with all
four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have
no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. Four-wheel drive
vehicles with a single speed
automatic transfer case have no
neutral position and will spin the
transmission when the rear
wheels turn.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a
Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a four-wheel drive
vehicle with a two speed automatic
transfer case:
1. Position the vehicle being towed
behind the tow vehicle and shift
the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake.
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 419 of 494

Black plate (85,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-85
{WARNING
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). The driver or others
could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is firmly set before
the transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” under“Four-Wheel
Drive” for the proper procedure
to select the N (Neutral) position
for the vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key —the
steering wheel will still turn. After towing, see
“Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” under“Four-Wheel
Drive” for the proper procedure to
take the vehicle out of the
N (Neutral) position.
Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles and Four-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with a Single Speed
Automatic Transfer Case
Notice: If a two-wheel drive
vehicle or a four-wheel drive
vehicle with a single speed automatic transfer case is towed
with the rear wheels on the
ground, the transmission could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels on the
ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles and
four-wheel drive vehicles with a
single speed automatic transfer
case should not be towed with the
rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have
no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. Four-wheel drive
vehicles with a single speed
automatic transfer case have no
neutral position and will spin the
transmission when the rear
wheels turn.
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle or a four-wheel drive vehicle
with a single speed automatic
transfer case, the vehicle must be
towed with the rear wheels on the 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 420 of 494

Black plate (86,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-86 Vehicle Care
dolly. See“Rear Towing (Rear
Wheels Off the Ground)” later in this
section for more information.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a
Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to dolly
tow a four-wheel drive vehicle from
the front:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions. 2. Drive the front wheels onto the
dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
{WARNING
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). The driver or others
could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is firmly set before
the transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral). 5. Shift the transfer case to
N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” under“Four-Wheel
Drive.”
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” under“Four-Wheel
Drive.”