ignition CHEVROLET IMPALA 2002 8.G User Guide

2-18
Servicing the Trunk Release Sensor
The sensor lens should be inspected periodically. If the
lens is dirty, wipe it gently with a clean, soft cotton cloth.
If there is an electrical problem with the sensor, the
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON message will appear in the
message center. There are other possible reasons for this
message to appear. Be sure to see your dealer as soon as
possible. See ªService Vehicle Soon Messageº in the
Index for more information.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your
ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.

Be sure to close and lock the storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.

2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
Your vehicle may have the optional content
theft
-deterrent alarm system.
With this system, a light on the radio will flash.
This light reminds you to activate the theft
-deterrent
system. Here's how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the
remote keyless entry transmitter. The light on the
radio should come on and stay on. If you are using
the remote keyless entry transmitter, the door does
not need to be open.
3. Close all doors. The light on the radio will slowly
flash once the system is armed.
Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to
enter the vehicle (without using the remote keyless entry
transmitter or a key) or turns the ignition on with an
incorrect key. The horn will sound and the headlamps and
back
-up lamps will flash for approximately two minutes.When the alarm is armed, the trunk may be opened with
the remote keyless entry transmitter. If you use the key
to open the trunk, the alarm will sound. The power door
lock switches are also disabled. You must use your
remote keyless entry transmitter or your key to unlock
the doors when the system is armed.
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
Your alarm system will arm when you use either power
lock switch to lock the doors while any door or the trunk
is open and the key is removed from the ignition.
The light on the radio flashes quickly to let you know
when the system is ready to arm with the power door
lock switches. The light on the radio will stop flashing
and stay on when you press the bottom of the power
lock switch, to let you know the system is arming.
After all doors and the trunk are closed and locked, the
light on the radio will flash slowly to let you know the
system is armed.

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.
Features you can program depend upon the options
that came with your vehicle. The following list shows
features that can be reset or customized along with
the options.

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. The radio must
be 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.

2-23
AUTOLOCK (Automatic Door Lock and Unlock):
With the ignition in ON and the doors closed, this
feature allows the vehicle doors to automatically lock
and unlock when the driver shifts the transaxle into and
out of PARK (P).
Programmable Modes
Mode 1: OFF
-- Turns feature off.
Mode 2: LCK ONLY
-- Automatic door lock
on/automatic door unlock off.
Mode 3: DRVR UNL
-- Automatic door lock
on/automatic door unlock on (driver's door only).
Mode 4: ALL UNL
-- Automatic door lock
on/automatic door unlock on.
Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed to Mode 4. The mode to which your
vehicle was programmed may have been changed since
it left the factory. To determine the mode to which your
vehicle is programmed or to program your vehicle to a
different mode, do the following:1. Scroll, using the SEEK up or down arrows, until
AUTOLOCK appears on the display.
2. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the submenu.
The current selection will have an asterisk (*) next to
it. If you do not wish to change the current mode, you
can either exit the programming mode by following the
directions later in this section or program the next
feature available on your vehicle.
3. Scroll, using the PREV or NEXT buttons, through
the modes to change the current mode.
4. With your preference displayed, press the DISP
button to select. A chime will be heard to verify the
new setting. The new selection will be displayed
with an asterisk (*) for one second.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.

2-30
Passlock
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft
-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft
-deterrent system. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock
cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled and the
engine will not start.
During normal operation, the SECURITY message will
be displayed after the key is turned to the ON ignition
position. See ªMessage Center, Securityº in the Index.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY message flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine.
If the engine is running and the SECURITY message
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn
the engine off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time. You
may also want to check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index). See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, contact Chevrolet Roadside
Assistance. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index for
more information.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't 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.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.

2-31
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn the switch to
four positions.
The ignition switch is
located on the instrument
panel, to the right of the
steering column.
OFF: This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. Removing the key locks your ignition
and automatic transaxle.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC (Accessory): This is the position in which you
can operate your electrical accessories. With the key
in this position, the ignition and automatic transaxle
will unlock.
ON: This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start the engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON to
operate your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster messages and warning lights.

2-32
START: This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door while the ignition is in OFF or ACC and the key is
in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), your power
windows, audio system and sunroof (option) will
continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned to OFF and none of the doors is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine warms up.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2-33
2. If the engine doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one
-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START. Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START for
a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the engine still won't start
or starts briefly but then stops again, repeat Step 1 or 2,
depending on temperature. When the engine starts,
release the key and the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.

2-37
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't 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 won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
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 before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. 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). See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in
the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
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, see ªIf
You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.