
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Luggage/Load Locations . . . . . . . 4-2
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-5
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-44
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-52
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-36
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-20
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-29
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-43
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-49
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-76

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Midgate
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-15
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-21
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-22
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22 Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Universal Remote System . . . 1-25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-26
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-27
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-27
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
In Brief 1-25
Universal Remote System
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.
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.
SeeUniversal Remote System on
page 5‑52.
Sunroof
A. Open or Close
B. Vent
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
sunroof only operates when the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑25. Vent:
From the closed position,
press the rear of switch (B) to vent
the sunroof.
Open/Close: To open the sunroof,
press and hold switch (A) until the
sunroof reaches the desired
position. Press and hold the front of
switch (A) to close it.
Express-Open/Express-Close: To
express-open the sunroof, fully
press and release the rear of
switch (A) until the sunroof
reaches the desired position. To
express-close the sunroof, fully
press and release the front of
switch (A). Press the switch again to
stop it.
When the sunroof is opened, an air
deflector will automatically raise.
The air deflector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
1-26 In Brief
The sunroof also has a sunshade
which can be pulled forward to block
sun rays. The sunshade must be
opened and closed manually.
If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
anti-pinch feature will detect the
object and stop the sunroof.
SeeSunroof on page 2‑25.Performance and
Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin and
the StabiliTrak system that assists
with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions. Both
systems turn on automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
.To turn off traction control, press
and release
gon the instrument
panel. The appropriate DIC
message displays. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑39.
.To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
guntilgilluminates and
the appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑39.
.Press and releasegagain to
turn on both systems. For more information, see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑43.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑15.
The warning light will remain on until
the tire pressure is corrected.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Doors
Midgate®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . 2-16
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-17
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Automatic Dimming Mirror . . . 2-21
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-22
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the keys in the
ignition, and children or others
could be caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with the
ignition key.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-23
Windows
{WARNING
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{WARNING
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave keys in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout button to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys on page 2‑1.Power Folding Mirrors Shown,Other Models Similar
The driver door has switches
that control all windows. Each
passenger door switch only
controls that window. The power
windows work when the ignition is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY,
or in Retained Accessory Power
(RAP). See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑25 for more
information.
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull the switch up to
raise it.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-25
Roof
Sunroof
A. Open or Close
B. Vent
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
sunroof only operates when the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑25. Vent:
From the closed position,
press the rear of switch (B) to vent
the sunroof.
Open/Close: To open the sunroof,
press and hold switch (A) until the
sunroof reaches the desired
position. Press and hold the front of
switch (A) to close it.
Express-Open/Express-Close: To
express-open the sunroof, fully
press and release the rear of
switch (A) until the sunroof
reaches the desired position. To
express-close the sunroof, fully
press and release the front of
switch (A). Press the switch again to
stop it.
When the sunroof is opened, an air
deflector will automatically raise.
The air deflector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
The sunroof also has a sunshade
which can be pulled forward to block
sun rays. The sunshade must be
opened and closed manually. If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
anti-pinch feature will detect the
object and stop the sunroof.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation or noise. It could also
plug the water drainage system.
Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
3-20 Seats and Restraints
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a
Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See
Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑15.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
.A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A seat‐mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.A seat‐mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and passenger directly behind
the driver.
.A roof-rail airbag for the right
front passenger and passenger
seated directly behind the right
front passenger.
All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.