
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 (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 (1,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Storage 4-1
Storage
Storage Compartments
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Overhead Console . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Center Console Storage . . . . . . 4-1
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Luggage/Load Locations
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Cover Panels . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Roof Rack System
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Storage
Compartments
Glove Box
Lift up on the glove box lever to
open it.
Cupholders
For vehicles with cupholders for
front and rear passengers, the
cupholders are located in the center
console and on the back of the
center console.
Press down and release the access
door to open and use the front
cupholders.
Pull down on the door located on
the back of the console to use the
rear cupholders. Push on the door
to close it.
Push down and then back to
remove the front cupholder for
cleaning.For vehicles with a rear armrest/
cupholder, pull up and out on the
tab on the top center of the armrest.
Pull the armrest down to access the
cupholder.
Overhead Console
For vehicles with an overhead
console, it contains reading lights
and a small storage area.
Press the button next to each light
to turn it on and off.
Armrest Storage
Vehicles may have a center armrest
storage compartment in front of the
bench seat. Open it by folding the
armrest down and pressing the
handle on the front.
Center Console Storage
For vehicles with a console
compartment, cupholders are
located between the bucket seats.
Press the button and lift the console
cover to open.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Storage 4-11
Cargo Tie-Downs
The vehicle has cargo tie downs,
located in the rear cargo area.
These can be used to secure cargo.
The tie downs can also be used to
secure the cargo cover panel strap
system, if the vehicle has one. For
more information seeCargo Cover
Panels on page 4‑5.
Roof Rack System
{WARNING
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack —like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress —the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
certified accessory carrier.
For vehicles with a roof rack, the
rack can be used to load items. For
roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified
crossrails can be purchased as an
accessory. See your dealer for
additional information. Notice:
Loading cargo on the
roof rack that weighs more than
91 kg (200 lbs) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may
damage the vehicle. Load cargo
so that it rests evenly between
the crossrails, making sure to
fasten cargo securely.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo
when driving, check to make sure
crossrails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof
rack will make the vehicle’ s center
of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers,
otherwise it may result in loss of
control. If driving for a long distance,
on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. SeeExterior Care on
page 10‑88.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑19.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑88.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑27.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑28.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑28.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑29.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑25.
.Verify spare tire key lock
operation and lubricate as
needed. See Tire Changing on
page 10‑66.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
i-10 INDEX
RoofSunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-4
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . 3-20
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-17
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-18
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-13
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . 3-8
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-4
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Secondary Latch System . . . . . 10-75
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . 3-49, 3-51, 3-52
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Service
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 10-3
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-15 Service (cont'd)
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 12-1
Publications Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Scheduling Appointments . . . 13-13
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-27

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
INDEX i-11
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Steps Power Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Storage Areas Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-17 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-53
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-52
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-75
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44 Tires (cont'd)
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-62
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-60
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-83
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 9-76
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22