ChevroletAvalanche 2WD2003Overview/chevrolet/avalanche-2wd/2003/base/

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 2WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Avalanche 2WD.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche is an SUV that employs a 6‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API lubrication and is paired with an automatic 4‑speed transmission, yielding EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined miles per gallon. The model’s reliability history covers the period 2000 to 2013, during which the number of complaints reached a high of 673 in 2002 and a low of 2 in 2000. Consequently, the 2003 year sits near the upper end of that complaint range, suggesting that owners can expect comparatively higher service concerns relative to the best‑performing years.

Model year201320112003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeC25, K25 LT245-75R16EOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731172
Engine air filter22845992 alt 15908916
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued
Spark plug12621258
Front wiper blades15214346
Serpentine belt12576447 alt 12637202
Thermostat12561155 alt 12571261

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length221.7 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height73.2 in
Wheelbase130.3 in
Curb weight5437 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SAE 75W · Synthetic in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · Synthetic
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.83 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts189 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsBolts: 26 ft-lbs, nuts: 12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts8.85 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket125.0 plus 90 degrees ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle70.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket70.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum62.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62
RPM45-59 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum62.0 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH RPO JC3, JC4, JH2 / WITH RPO JH6
Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs / 31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO JC3, JC4, JH2 / WITH RPO JH6
Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs / 31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO JC3, JC4, JH2 / WITH RPO JH6

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 5.9 ft. lbs., step 3: 8.83.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
763
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
422
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

05V163000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 22/04/2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS… Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avalanche 2WD. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Avalanche 2WD take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Avalanche 2WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Avalanche 2WD get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.