brake CHEVROLET IMPALA 2007 9.G Owners Manual

Keys.............................................................. 89
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.......... 90
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation.................................... 91
Doors and Locks.......................................... 98
Door Locks................................................. 98
Power Door Locks....................................... 99
Automatic Door Lock................................. 100
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock....... 100
Rear Door Security Locks......................... 100
Lockout Protection..................................... 101
Trunk........................................................ 102
Windows...................................................... 104
Power Windows........................................ 105
Sun Visors................................................ 107
Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 107
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 107
PASS-Key
®III+......................................... 108
PASS-Key®III+ Operation......................... 109Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 111
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 111
Ignition Positions....................................... 112
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)............. 113
Starting the Engine.................................... 113
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 115
Active Fuel Management™
(3.9L V6 and 5.3L V8 Engines).............. 116
Automatic Transaxle Operation.................. 116
Parking Brake........................................... 120
Shifting Into Park (P)................................. 121
Shifting Out of Park (P)............................. 123
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 123
Engine Exhaust......................................... 124
Running the Engine While Parked............. 125
Mirrors......................................................... 126
Manual Rearview Mirror............................. 126
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®....... 126
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®.......................................... 126
Outside Power Mirrors............................... 127
Outside Convex Mirror............................... 127
Section 2 Features and Controls
87

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 284for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
111

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 284.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system.
You must fully apply your regular brakes rst
and then press the shift lever button before you
can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition is
in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift
lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button
and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 123.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 276.
117

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator pedal all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 262.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that
it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as
you increase speed may damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You
can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D)
for higher speeds until then.
118

THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D)
when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your
brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads. You would also then want to use
your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more
than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over
55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transaxle.
Also, shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above
65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using
your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is
in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward,
the transaxle will not shift into rst gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
119

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your
left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it
to the released position.
A warning chime will sound and a brake warning
light located on the instrument panel cluster
will come on, if the parking brake is set, the ignition
is on and the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 284.
120

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 121.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 284.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
121

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured.
Do not leave your vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and
your parking brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into the
PARK (P) position, hold the regular brake pedal
down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever
away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it towardyou or if you have the console shift lever, without
rst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight
of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transaxle. You may nd
it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 121.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P).
122

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift
lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 116.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into
PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed
down. Release the shift lever button if you have a
console shift. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button
if you have a console shift.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the
end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL.
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry
grass, or other things that can burn.
123

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 124.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 272.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 121.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 284.
125