oil change CHEVROLET IMPALA 2001 8.G Owners Manual

2-20 Arming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
Your alarm system will arm when you use your remote
keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors, if the key is
not in the ignition. The light on the radio will turn on to
let you know the system is arming. After all doors and
the trunk are closed and locked, the light on the radio
will begin flashing at a very slow rate to let you know
the system is armed.
Disarming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your
remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors.
The light on the radio will go off to let you know the
system is no longer armed.
The first time a remote UNLOCK command is
received, three flashes will be seen and three horn chirps
heard to indicate an alarm condition has occurred since
last arming.
Disarming with Your Key
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key
to unlock the doors. The light on the radio will go off to
let you know the system is no longer armed.
Vehicle Customization Settings
Some of the convenience features can be reset or
customized to perform according to your preference.
Customization cannot be changed with the AM
-FM
stereo radio. See your dealer to have the settings
changed. The features you can program depend upon
the options that came with your vehicle. The following
list shows the features that can be reset or customized
along with the option you need to program that feature:

Settings (Available for All)

Oil Life Reset (Available for All)

Low Tire Pressure Reset (If Equipped)

Delayed Headlamp Illumination (Available for All)

Automatic Door Lock and Unlock (Available for All)

Remote Visual Verification (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)

Remote Audible Verification (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)

Content Theft Operation (Optional with Content
Theft System)

Trunk Jamb (Optional with Content Theft System)

2-21

Horn Chirp On Timer (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)

Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Programming
(Available with Remote Keyless Entry)

Return to Original Factory Settings
(Available for All)

Exit Vehicle Customization Mode
Entering Programming Mode: To reset or customize
the features, you must first enter the vehicle
customization main menu. To enter the main menu, do
the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON and the radio to off.
2. Press and hold the DISP button on the radio for at
least five seconds until SETTINGS is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK up or down arrows to scroll through
each available feature on your main menu.
4. Press the PREV or NEXT buttons to scroll through
the lower menu. An asterisk will appear next to the
item that is the current setting.The following information shows how to reset or
customize features after entering the main menu:
SETTINGS
-- Display Current Settings
OIL LIFE
-- Oil Life Reset: This feature allows you
to reset the GM Oil Life System Monitor after an oil
change, see ªEngine Oilº in the Index. Be careful not
to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any time other
than when the oil has been changed. It can't be reset
accurately until the next oil change. To clear the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL light from the instrument panel
cluster and reset the oil life monitor:
1. Scroll, using the SEEK up or down arrows, until OIL
LIFE appears on the display.
2. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the
submenu. RESET will then be displayed.
3. Press the DISP button to reset. A chime will be heard
to verify the new setting and DONE will be
displayed for one second.
The CHANGE ENGINE OIL light is now reset.
You can either exit the programming mode by following
the instructions later in this section or program the next
feature available on your vehicle.

2-92
Low Eng Oil Level
United States Canada
This message is displayed for 60 seconds at the start of
each ignition cycle when the engine oil level is low.
Four chimes will also sound.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you that
your engine oil level is low. Be sure to have your vehicle
serviced right away.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index on how to check the
oil level and for what type of oil to add.Change Engine OilUnited States Canada
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs
to be changed. It will appear for 60 seconds.
After 60 seconds, it will go out.
Once the engine oil has been changed, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message must be reset. Until it is reset,
this message will be displayed for 60 seconds each time
you start the engine. For more information on resetting
the system, see ªEngine Oil, When to Changeº in
the Index.

5-9
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº and ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in
the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel
cluster. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and
ªHot Coolant Temperature Messageº in the Index.
You also have a low coolant light on your instrument
panel cluster. See ªLow Coolant Level Messageº in
the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on and
the temperature gage will indicate an overheat condition
exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

5-14
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn't at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX
-COOL
engine coolant at
the coolant recovery tank. See ªEngine Coolantº in the
Index for more information.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.

6-14
3400 (Code E)
V6 Engine3800 (Code K)
V6 Engine
The engine oil fill cap is located toward the front of
the engine near the yellow
-looped engine oil dipstick
handle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil
changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-16
As shown in the following chart, if you have the
3800 V6 engine, SAE 10W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going to be
colder than 60
F (16
C) before your next oil change.
When it's very cold, you should use SAE 5W
-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils, such
as SAE 20W
-50.
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine

6-17
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life System will
indicate that a change is necessary. The mileage between
oil and filter changes will vary depending on how you
drive your vehicle
-- usually between 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your
last oil and filter change. Under severe conditions, the
system may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first)
without an oil change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner. Remember to
reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message whenever
the oil is changed.

6-18
How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Message
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message use one
of the following procedures:
Using the RDS Radio (If Equipped)
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the DISP button on the radio for at
least five seconds until SETTINGS is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK up or down arrow to scroll through
the main menu.
4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
6. Press the DISP button to reset. A chime will be heard
to verify the new setting and DONE will be
displayed for one second.
7. Once the message has been reset, scroll until EXIT
appears on the display.
8. Press the DISP button to exit programming.
A chime will be heard to verify the exit.Using the Accelerator Pedal
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within five seconds. If the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message flashes, the system is reset. However,
if it stays on, it did not reset. You'll need to repeat
the reset procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil.
See the manufacturer's warnings about the use and
disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of
oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If you have a problem properly disposing of your used
oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

6-21
To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Reposition the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger's side of the vehicle (peel back halfway
to center).
5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter 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 90F (32C) 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 fluid and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.