maintenance CHEVROLET IMPALA 2002 8.G Owners Manual

1-31 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the
air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see
ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still inflate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an air bag
when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They
are probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure
to follow proper service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work for you is
qualified to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Center Front Passenger Position

1-59
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

2-89
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to
come on. Modifications to these systems could
lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

2-91
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts
of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire.
The system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct
this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly.
See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. It will take a few
driving trips to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
ªFuelº in the Index. Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration
or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be
detected by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the CHECK
ENGINE light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.

2-94
Here are four situations you may experience with
your fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with
the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.

The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.

The gage pointer moves while cornering, braking
or acceleration.
Message Center
The message center is located below the temperature
gage or the tachometer gage (if equipped) on the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts.
Modes
Service Traction System (If Equipped)
United States Canada
If this message appears when you are driving, there is a
problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle is in need of service.
When this message is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. The message will stay on for 60
seconds and then go out. Four chimes will also be heard.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you that
your traction control system is not working properly. Be
sure to have your vehicle serviced right away.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Dual ComforTemp
Climate Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best
if you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
regulates the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the
knob to OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº and
ªPassenger Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on
the driver's side independent of the temperature set
by the passenger. Slide the lever upward to raise the
temperature. Slide the lever downward to lower
the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on
the passenger's side independent of the temperature
set by the driver. Slide the lever upward to raise the
temperature. Slide the lever downward to lower
the temperature.
Mode Knob
The knob on the right side of the control panel has
several settings to control the direction of airflow:
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
(Bi-level): This setting directs air two ways.
Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through
the floor vents and a small amount to the windshield
defroster and side window outlets.

3-6 Ventilation System
Change the direction
of the airflow by
adjusting the vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system
supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is
moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when
the air conditioning compressor is running and the
outside air button is pressed
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting, regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº and
ªPassenger Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob to floor and the fan to the highest speed
for a few seconds before driving off. This helps clear
the intake ducts of snow and moisture and reduces
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

4-41 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 fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find 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. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-19 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
6
-21 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-28 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-31 Brakes6
-34 Battery
6
-35 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-41 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Finish Damage
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-68 Replacement Bulbs
6
-68 Capacities and Specifications
6
-70 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-2
Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you'll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You'll get genuine GM parts and
GM
-trained and supported service people.
We hope you'll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you'll
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see ªService
and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, see ªServicing Your Air
Bag
-Equipped Vehicleº in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and
list the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See ªMaintenance Recordº in the Index.