service CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G Owners Manual

In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product
Service Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your
General Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-12

Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-13

Cassette Tape Messages.........................3-67, 3-89
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.....................................3-67, 3-89
CD Messages........................................3-78, 3-92
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-42
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-23
Chains, Tires..................................................5-80
Change Engine Oil Message............................3-47
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-37
Check Engine Light.........................................3-37
Checking Coolant............................................5-30
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-18
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-100
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-33
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-49Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-97
CHIRP (Horn Chirp Timer)...............................2-51
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-94
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-100
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-99
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-98
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-94
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-96
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-96
Cleaning Leather............................................5-96
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-96
Cleaning Tires................................................5-99
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-96
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-98
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-25
Dual..........................................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
3

Compact Spare Tire........................................5-93
Compass Variance..........................................3-53
Console Shift Lever.........................................2-28
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-42
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-36
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Hot Temperature Warning Message................3-45
Cooling System..............................................5-35
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-41
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-13
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-11
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-23
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-17
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-16
Dinghy Towing................................................4-31
Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Disarming with Your Key..................................2-16
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-31
Dome Lamp...................................................3-18
4

Door
Ajar Warning Message.................................3-48
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-52
Driver’s Side Instrument Panel Fuse Block........5-104
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-15
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-23
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-25
Driving On Grades..........................................4-42
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-26
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-18
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-41
Dual Climate Control System............................3-20E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-103
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-103
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-103
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-103
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-12
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-40
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-50
Change Oil Message...................................3-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-37
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Low Oil Level Message................................3-47
Oil .............................................................5-18
5

Locks (cont.)
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message....................3-51
Low Engine Oil Level Message.........................3-47
Low Fuel Warning Message.............................3-50
Low Oil Pressure Message...............................3-46
Low Tire Message..........................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message.................3-50
LT DELAY (Delayed Headlamp Illumination)........2-46
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-43
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-37
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Operation...........................................3-21
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Message
Battery Warning..........................................3-45
Center.......................................................3-43
Change Engine Oil......................................3-47
Door Ajar Warning.......................................3-48
Highbeam Out Warning................................3-52
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning..................3-45
Low Brake Fluid Warning..............................3-51
Low Engine Oil Level...................................3-47
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-50
Low Oil Pressure.........................................3-46
Low Tire .....................................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-50
Security.....................................................3-49
9

Message (cont.)
Service Traction System Warning...................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-51
Traction Active............................................3-44
Trunk Ajar Warning......................................3-49
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-30
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12Oil
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Message.......................................3-46
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-24
OIL LIFE (GM Oil Life System Reset)................2-45
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-37
OnStar®Services............................................2-37
OnStar®System.............................................2-36
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-37
Operation Tips................................................3-24
ORIG. SET (Return to the Original Settings).......2-51
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-24
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-36
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-32
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-13
10

Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Safety Chains.................................................4-40
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Six-Way Power Seats.................................... 1-3
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-46
Rear Seat Position......................................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-49
Security While You Travel.................................. 7-6
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-37
Message....................................................3-49
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Traction System Warning Message.................3-43
Vehicle Soon Message.................................3-51Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Manuals.............................................7-12
Setting Preset Stations....................3-59, 3-70, 3-81
Setting the Time.............................................3-56
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-59, 3-70, 3-81
SETTINGS (Display Current Settings)................2-45
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-99
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-14
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-95
Specications, Capacities...............................5-110
Speedometer..................................................3-30
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-6
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine...........................2-18
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine..............2-19
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-18
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering Column Shift Lever.............................2-27
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-11
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-93
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-42
Convenience Net.........................................2-42
13

Storage Areas (cont.)
Front Storage Area......................................2-42
Glove Box..................................................2-42
Rear Storage Area.......................................2-42
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-91
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-92
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-29
Sun Visors.....................................................2-14
Sunroof.........................................................2-43
T
Tachometer....................................................3-31
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Sidemarker
Lamps....................................................5-61
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-35
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-92
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-15
Passlock
®...................................................2-16
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire
Low Message.............................................3-48
Tire Ination Check........................................... 6-9
TIRE MON (Tire Ination Monitor Reset)............2-45
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-64
Tire Size.......................................................5-68Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-69
Tires.............................................................5-64
Buying New Tires........................................5-76
Chains.......................................................5-80
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-82
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-93
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-81
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-72
Inspection and Rotation................................5-75
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-77
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-79
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-79
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-76
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Torque Lock...................................................2-29
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-40
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-30
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-37
Your Vehicle...............................................4-30
Traction
Active Message...........................................3-44
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-35
Service Traction System Warning Message.....3-43
14

Trailer Brakes.................................................4-40
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-26
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-12
Transmitter Verication...................................... 2-5
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Computer................................................3-55
Trip Odometer................................................3-30
TRNKJAMB (Trunk Jamb)................................2-50
Trunk............................................................2-11
Trunk Ajar Warning Message............................3-49
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-12
Trunk Lock....................................................2-11
Turn and Lane-Change Indicator......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-42
U
Underhood Fuse Block (Lower).......................5-109
Underhood Fuse Block (Upper).......................5-108
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-94
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-77
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-80
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-95
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-41
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Customization Settings.................................3-97
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-32
Service Soon Message.................................3-51
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders..................................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-102
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-102
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-44
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-51
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-24
Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................................2-14
Visors...........................................................2-14
15