CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 8.G Owners Manual

Accessory Power Outlets
Your vehicle has a 12-volt
outlet which can be used
to plug in electrical
equipment such as a
cellular telephone,
a compact disc player, etc.
On vehicles with a center console, it is located at the
rear of the console. Lift the cover to access the
outlet. Close the cover when not using the outlet.
On vehicles without a center console, it is located in the
ashtray drawer to the right of the ashtray. Remove
the rubber cover to access the outlet. When not using
the outlet, make sure the cover is on it.
Notice:When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum electrical load must not exceed amperage
rating. Always turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your battery.
Certain accessory plugs may not be compatible to the
accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle
and adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see
your dealer for additional information on the power
accessory plugs.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn't be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. Check with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the amperage rating.
Notice:Power outlets are designed for accessory
plugs only. Do not hang any type of accessory
or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty. Console Version shown
3-19

Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)
Your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power
connection. This feature provides power, ground and
accessory wires which can be accessed to add
aftermarket electrical equipment to your vehicle.
It is located on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle, under the
glove box, and is labeled
with a wire function
and fuse rating.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn't be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.
For information on accessing the connection and
electrical hookup, please refer to your service manual.
To order a service manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-11.
3-20

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have ashtrays and a cigarette lighter.
The front ashtray may be on the instrument panel or
on the console. To remove the instrument panel ashtray,
open it, push down on the locking tab and pull out
the ashtray.
To remove the console ashtray, open the ashtray door,
lift up on the ashtray and pull it out.
If your vehicle is equipped with a center console, a rear
ashtray may be located located behind a small door
at the rear of the console. Push on the right side of the
door. The ashtray will then turn to the right for usage.
You can only access the ashtray by pushing on the
door's right side. To remove the ashtray, push down on
the snuffer located in the middle of the ashtray and
lift it out.
Notice:Don't put papers or other ¯ammable items
into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them, causing a
damaging ®re.
Notice:Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
3-21

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog and ventilation for your vehicle.
Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the air¯ow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode allows for approximately a
50/50 split of air to the instrument panel outlets and
to the ¯oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
¯oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically select Outside Air.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see ªDefogging and
Defrostingº later in this section.
It should be noted, that the air conditioning compressor
will be engaged unless the outside temperature is
40É F (4ÉC) or below. Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
If the air¯ow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air ®lter, if
equipped, may need to be replaced. For more
information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on
page 3-26andPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
on page 6-4.
3-22

:(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on. When this mode is on, outside air
will circulate throughout your vehicle. When the
button is pressed, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that it is activated. The outside
air mode can be used with all modes, but it cannot
be used with the recirculation mode.
You may have to set the instrument panel brightness
control to the highest setting during the day to see
the indicator lamp.
The outside air mode can be used with all modes, but it
cannot be used with the recirculation mode.
If you are in city traffic, your vehicle is stopped and
idling, or the weather is hot, the system may switch from
the outside air mode to the recirculation mode. To
prevent the air inside of your vehicle from becoming too
stale, be sure to return to the outside air mode
periodically.?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will come
on. The air-conditioning compressor also comes on.
You may have to set the instrument panel brightness
control to the highest setting during the day to see
the indicator lamp.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with outside air
modes.
D or P (Temperature Control):Slide the levers
marked D (Driver) or P (Passenger) to increase or
decrease the temperature on the driver's side or
the passenger's side of the vehicle.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light will come on to let you know
that air conditioning is activated.
You may have to set the instrument panel brightness
control to the highest setting during the day to see
the indicator lamp.
3-23

On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the coolest temperature for both zones.
5. Select the highest fan speeds.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield. Use the defog
mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob clockwise to select the defog or
defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air equally to the
windshield and the ¯oor outlets. When you select this
mode, the system turns off recirculation and runs
the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is below 40ÉF (4ÉC). The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
0(Defrost):This mode directs half of the air to
the windshield and side window vents and half to the
¯oor vents. In this mode, the system will automatically
force outside air into your vehicle. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this setting, unless the outside temperature is below
40ÉF (4ÉC).
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-24

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
approximately 20 minutes after the button is pressed. If
turned on again, the defogger will run for the same
amount of time. The defogger can also be turned off by
pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.
Notice:Don't use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn't be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knob located
below or to the side of the
outlet, to change the
direction of the air ¯ow.
3-25

Operation Tips
·Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ¯ow of air into your vehicle.
·Use of non-GM approved hood de¯ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
·Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside your vehicle more
effectively.
·If the air¯ow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air ®lter, if equipped, may need to replaced. For
more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 3-26andPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment particulate air ®lter. It is located
underneath the hood just below the windshield wiper
arm on the passenger's side of the vehicle, underneath
the air inlet grille.
The ®lter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
Climate Control System. Like your engine's air
cleaner/®lter, it may need to be changed periodically to
insure system performance. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air
®lter, see
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
3-26

To change the passenger compartment air ®lter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the vehicle hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger's side of the vehicle halfway to center.5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air de¯ector grille in the compartment.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air
®lter.
9. Reverse the steps to install the new air ®lter.
For the type of ®lter to use, see
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 5-105.
3-27

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on brie¯y when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual's advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly ±
and even dangerous. So please get to know your
warning lights and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights and
gages. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-49.
3-28