instrument panel CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 8.G User Guide

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
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 Ð fast or slow Ð
for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't make
full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 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.
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.
2-18

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 while 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.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
While 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 Ð 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.
2-19

There is also a display, like the graphic above, located
on the instrument panel cluster that will indicate the
gear the vehicle is in.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic transaxle
vehicles while you're in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to
protect driveline components from improper operation.
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 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 won't
move, even when you're on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. 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)
while 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
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-30.
2-24

OIL LIFE (GM Oil Life System Reset)
This feature allows you to reset the GM Oil Life System
Monitor after an oil change, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-16. Be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE at any
time other than when the oil has been changed. To clear
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL light from the instrument
panel cluster and reset the oil life monitor:
1. Scroll, using the SEEK/PSCAN 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 TUNE/DISP knob 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.
TIRE MON (Tire In¯ation Monitor
Reset)
This feature allows you to reset the tire pressure
monitor after checking all tire pressures, seeTires on
page 5-61. To clear the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
light from the instrument panel cluster and reset the low
tire pressure monitor do the following:
1. Scroll, using the SEEK/PSCAN up or down arrows,
until TIRE MON appears on the display.
2. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
3. Press the TUNE/DISP knob to reset. A chime will
be heard to verify the new setting and DONE will
be displayed for one second.
The low tire pressure monitor 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.
2-46

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)............................................3-20
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-25
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-28
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Fuel Gage...................................................3-40
Message Center.............................................3-40
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-41
Traction Active Message................................3-41
Battery Warning Message..............................3-42
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-42
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-43
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-43
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-44
Low Tire Message........................................3-44
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-45
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-45
Security Message.........................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-46
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-47
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-47
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-48
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-48
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
Trip Computer................................................3-52
Audio System(s).............................................3-53
Setting the Time...........................................3-53
Radio with Cassette......................................3-54
Radio with CD..............................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-75
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-89Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-90
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-91
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-91
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-92
Care of Your CD Player................................3-92
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-93
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System (United
States Only).............................................3-94
Vehicle Customization Settings.......................3-94
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-94
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Instrument Panel Overview
3-4

The main components of your instrument panel are
listed here:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-95.
B. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped). See
Traction Control System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine) on
page 4-9.
C. Multifunction Lever. See
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option). See
Audio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-90.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-53.
G. Air Vent. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-25.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. See
Exterior Lamps
on page 3-14.I. Remote Trunk Release Button. See ªRemote Trunk
Rleaseº under
Trunk on page 2-10.
J. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on
page 3-7.
K. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-10.
L. Steering Wheel Cruise Control (If Equipped).
See ªCruise Controlº under
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
M. Ignition Switch. See ªIgnition Positionsº under
New
Vehicle Break-In on page 2-18.
N. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
ªConsole Shift Leverº under
Parking Brake on
page 2-27.
O. Climate Controls. See
Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-22.
P. Glove Box. See
Glove Box on page 2-43.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ¯ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ¯ash on and off.The hazard warning
¯asher button is located to
the right of the steering
wheel on the instrument
panel cluster.
The hazard warning ¯ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ¯ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ¯ashers off.
When the hazard warning ¯ashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry re¯ective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
3-6

Turn and Lane-Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is ®nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ¯ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ¯ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
If the arrow ¯ashes faster than normal as you signal a
turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check the
fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-95.
Turn Signal On Chime
If you leave either one of your turn signals on and drive
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound to
alert you.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change your headlamps from low beams to
high beams, or high to low, pull the multifunction lever
all the way toward you. Then release it.
While the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
This light works only while the ignition key is in the ON
position, and your fog lamps (if equipped) will not be
illuminated when your high beams are on.
3-8