CHEVROLET IMPALA 2007 9.G Owners Manual

At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798. By denition, this means
that fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content
between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank with
fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM specications
can affect driveability and could cause the check
engine light to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85
fuel must be formulated properly for your climate
according to ASTM specication D 5798. If you
have trouble starting on E85, it could be because
the E85 fuel is not properly formulated for your
climate. If this happens, switching to gasoline or
adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency
below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank
should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best
not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and
E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add
less than three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You
should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle
to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline,
so you will need to rell the fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 302.Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and can harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. Do not add anything to E85. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
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Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If
the vehicle has E85 fuel capability, a yellow cap
with the words “E85/gasoline” can be seen.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
the cap is released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap on the
hook on the inside of the fuel door.
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{CAUTION:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and
then something ignites it, you could be
badly burned. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 390.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise
until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 185.The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if
the fuel cap is not properly installed. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 199for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow
of fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure
to get the right type. Your dealer/retailer
can get one for you. If you get the wrong type,
it may not t properly. This may cause your
malfunction indicator lamp to light and
may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 185.
303

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with
the inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
304

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the interior hood
release handle with
this symbol on it.
It is located to
the left of the
parking brake
pedal.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and
release the secondary hood latch, located
near the center of the hood front, by pushing
the latch to the right.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps
are on properly. Then pull the hood down and
close it rmly.
305

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.5L engine (3.9L similar), here is what you will see:
306

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 333.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 337.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 400.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 338.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 326.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 323.
G. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 332.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 310.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 310.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 317.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 334.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 316.
307

When you open the hood on the 5.3L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
308

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 333.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 337.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 400.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 338.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 323.
F. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 332.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 310.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 310.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 317.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 334.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 316.
L. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 326.
309

Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC),
check the engine oil level right away. For
more information, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 199. You should check the
engine oil level regularly; this is an added
reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 306
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
310