2013 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE instrument panel

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
9-14 Driving and Operating
WARNING (Continued)
.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.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑28.
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.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
“Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out” later in this section.
If the vehicle has a traction system,
it can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's
traction system in the Index. If stuck
too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction
system off and use the rocking
method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑63.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. For four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two-speed automatic
transfer case, shift into Four-Wheel
High. For vehicles with StabiliTrak,
turn the traction control part of the
system off. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-21
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing
on page 9‑63 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.
Press the bottom of the control to
move the pedals closer. Press the
top of the control to move the
pedals away.
Before you start driving, fully press
the brake pedal to confirm the
adjustment is right for you. While
driving, make only small
adjustments.
The vehicle may have a memory
function which lets pedal settings be
saved and recalled. See Memory
Seats on page 3‑7.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-23
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This
position lets things like the radio
and the windshield wipers operate
while the engine is off. Use this
position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
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.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for
a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start and the key is held in
START, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-29
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park on page 9‑26
and Engine Exhaust on page 9‑28.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑60.
Automatic
Transmission
The vehicle has a
Hydra-Matic®6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. The
electronic shift position indicator
displays when the shift lever is
moved out of P (Park).
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode on page 9‑32.
P (Park): This position locks your
rear wheels. It is the best position to
use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-33
Range Selection Mode controls the
vehicle and engine speed while
driving down a hill or towing a trailer,
by allowing you to select a desired
range of gears.
Grade Braking is not available when
the Range Selection Mode is active.
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 9‑33
for more information.
While using the Range Selection
Mode, Cruise Control and the Tow/
Haul Mode can be used.
Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling while driving
down steep hills or mountain
grades, towing, or hauling heavy
loads.
Press the button located on the end
of the shift lever to turn the tow/haul
on or off. While the tow/haul is on, a
light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑21 andHill and Mountain
Roads on page 9‑12 for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑67 for
more information.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
(6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is
only enabled while the Tow/Haul
Mode is selected and the vehicle is
not in the Range Selection Mode. See
“Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9‑32. Tow/Haul Mode Grade
Braking assists in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving
on downhill grades by using the
engine and transmission to slow the
vehicle.
To disable or enable Tow/Haul
Grade Braking within the current
ignition key cycle, press and
hold the Tow/Haul button for
three seconds. A DIC message will
be displayed. See Transmission
Messages on page 5‑42.
See Towing Equipment on
page 9‑67 for more information.
For other forms of grade braking,
see Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑29 andCruise Control on
page 9‑47.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
9-34 Driving and Operating
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive (Two
Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry
pavement in Four-Wheel Drive
High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for
an extended period of time may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive
on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low for
extended periods of time. While driving on clean dry pavement
and during tight turns, you may
experience a vibration in the
steering system.
The vehicle has StabiliTrak
®.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low
will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑43.
Front Axle
The front axle engages and
disengages automatically when you
shift the transfer case. Some delay
for the axle to engage or disengage
is normal.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located to
the left of the instrument panel
cluster.
Use this dial to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-39
Four-Wheel Drive (Single
Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry
pavement in Four-Wheel Drive
High for an extended period of
time may cause premature wear
on the vehicle's powertrain. Do
not drive on clean, dry pavement
in Four-Wheel Drive High for
extended periods of time.
While driving on clean dry pavement
and during tight turns, you may
experience a vibration in the
steering system.
Front Axle
The front axle engages and
disengages automatically when you
shift the transfer case. Some delay
for the axle to engage or disengage
is normal.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located to
the left of the instrument panel
cluster.
Use this dial to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive. The vehicle has Four-Wheel Drive
with StabiliTrak
®. For information on
StabiliTrak, see StabiliTrak®System
on page 9‑43.
You can choose among three
driving settings:
Indicator lights in the switch show
you which setting you are in. The
indicator lights will come on briefly
when you turn on the ignition and
the last chosen setting will stay on.
If the lights do not come on, you
should take the vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light
will flash while shifting. It will stay on
when the shift is completed. If for
some reason the transfer case
cannot make a requested shift, it will
return to the last chosen setting.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High): This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
9-44 Driving and Operating
If the system fails to turn on or
activate, the StabiliTrak light along
with a message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If a DIC message appears, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not
been turned off using the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
button. Then turn the vehicle off,
wait 15 seconds, and then turn it
back on again to reset the system.
If any of the messages still appear
on the DIC, the vehicle should be
taken in for service. For more
information on the DIC messages,
seeRide Control System Messages
on page 5‑39.
The StabiliTrak light will flash on the
instrument panel cluster when the
system or the TSC feature is both
on and activated. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working; this is normal.
The TCS/StabiliTrak button is
located on the instrument panel.
The traction control part of
StabiliTrak can be turned off by
pressing and releasing the TCS/
StabiliTrak button if both systems
(traction control and StabiliTrak)
were previously on.
To disable both TCS and
StabiliTrak, press and hold the
TCS/StabiliTrak button until the
StabiliTrak OFF light illuminates
and the appropriate DIC message
displays. This will also disable the
TSC feature.
Traction control and StabiliTrak
can be turned on by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak button
if they are not automatically shut off
for any other reason. This will also
enable the TSC feature.
When the TCS or StabiliTrak system
is turned off, the StabiliTrak light
and the appropriate message will be
displayed on the DIC to warn the
driver. The vehicle will still have
brake-traction control when traction
control is off, but will not be able to
use the engine speed management
system. See
“Traction Control
Operation” next for more
information.
When the TCS has been turned off,
system noises may still be heard as
a result of the brake-traction control
coming on.