ABS CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and
economically.
Uplevel 3400 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and Traction Control shown, Canada similar
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Uplevel 3800 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and Traction Control shown, Canada similar
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Uplevel 3800 Supercharged V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and
Traction Control shown, Canada similar
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Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the calibration
symbol does not appear, you must manually put the
compass into the calibration mode.
Turn the ignition on and cycle the DIC to the
Compass/Temperature mode. Press the RESET button
for at least 10 seconds until the calibration symbol
appears and all segments of the compass display are
illuminated. A chime will sound to conrm that the
calibration mode is active. Release the button and
complete two or three 360° turns in an area free from
large metal objects. The calibration symbol will turn
off and the compass reading will be displayed. A chime
will sound to verify that the calibration is complete.
Error Displays

An error of the speed sensor or fuel sender will
cause -E- to be displayed.
In the absence of vehicle communications,
adash--isdisplayed.
If one of these error messages appear, see your dealer.
Trip Computer
There are ve trip computer displays which may be
stepped through by pushing the MODE button.
The information will appear in the following order:
AVG ECON (Average Fuel Economy):This shows the
average fuel economy since the last reset.
INST ECON (Instantaneous Fuel Economy):This
shows fuel economy for the most recent second
of driving.
RANGE (Trip Range):This shows the estimated
distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel.
The fuel economy used to calculate range is based
on the last few hours of driving. When in a low
fuel condition, LO is displayed.
FUEL USED (Trip Fuel Used):This shows the
accumulated fuel used since the last reset.
AVG SPEED (Average Speed):This shows the
average speed since the last reset.
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold the RESET button for at least three
seconds. The reset is acknowledged with all segments
of the display lit briey and a chime. A reset can
only be done in AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG
SPEED displays. Each setting must be reset individually.
3-55

Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pacewith the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
4-6

When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
4-7

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-32.
4-43

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil change and
replace at the rst oil change after 25,000 miles
(40 000 km).
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains “caked” with dirt, a new lter
is required.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of air cleaner/lter.To check or replace the engine air cleaner/lter do the
following:
1. Loosen the two clips on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter housing and lift the lter cover tabs
out of the housing.
2. Push the lter cover housing toward the engine.
3. Pull out the lter.
4. Check or install a new engine air cleaner/lter.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-13.
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5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs through the
slots on the housing. A notch on the sides of the
lter cover will indicate the correct engagement.
Reinstall the two clips on the top of the housing
when you are nished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air lter.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to stop
ame if the engine backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you could be burned.
Do not drive with it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily
get into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/lter in place when you are
driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
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Fuses Usage
ABS/PCM Anti-Lock Brake System, Powertrain
Control Module, Brake Switch,
Crank Relay, Canister Vent Solenoid
(Run, Crank)
STOPBrake Lamps, Body Control Module
(Run, Crank)
TURN SIGNAL Turn Signal Flashers
CRUISECruise Control Steering Column
Controls
AC/CRUISEHVAC Temp Door Motors & Module,
Cruise Control Module
A/C FAN HVAC Blower
STR COL Steering Wheel Lighting
DR LKBody Control Module, Door Lock
Controls
PWR MIR Power Mirrors
CLSTR/BCMCluster, Body Control Module,
Data Link Connector (Battery)
LH HTD
ST/BCMDriver’s Heated Seat, Body Control
Module, Battery Controlled LoadsCircuit
BreakersUsage
RETAINED
ACCESSORY
PWR BRKRPower Window, Sunroof Breaker
Relays Usage
HEADLAMP
RELAYHeadlamp Relay
RETAINED
ACCESSORY
PWR RELAYRetained Accessory Power Relay
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