brake CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G User Guide

Shifting Out of Park (P)
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. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-22.
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), being sure
to press the shift lever button if you have a console shift.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
2-30

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-25.
{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. Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-32

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
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-31
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Message Center.............................................3-43
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-43
Traction Active Message................................3-44
Battery Warning Message..............................3-45
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-45
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-46
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-47
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-47
Low Tire Message........................................3-48
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-48
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-49
Security Message.........................................3-49
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-50
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-50
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-51
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-51
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can not drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (option) begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine) on page 4-8.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
The cruise control ON/OFF switch is located at the end
of the multifunction lever.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Slide the cruise control ON lever, on the turn signal
lever, to the right to turn it on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3-11

3. Press the SET button
located on the steering
wheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on after the cruise control has been set to the
desired speed.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course shuts
off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
press the RESUME
button on your steering
wheel. You’ll go back
to your chosen speed and
stay there.
3-12

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to cancel the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Slide the lever on the multifunction lever to the
OFF position.
Press the COAST and ACCEL buttons at the
same time.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control
is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
3-14

{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
The LOW BRAKE FLUID message in the message
center will also appear when there is a brake problem.
SeeLow Brake Fluid Warning Message on page 3-51.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
3-33

This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-33andTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-30.{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service. United States
Canada
3-34

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
If your vehicle is equipped
with anti-lock brakes, the
anti-lock brake system
warning light should come
on for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition
key to ON.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This
is normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have the
traction control system. If it
does, this warning light
may come on for the
following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC
OFF button located on the instrument panel, a
chime will sound and the warning light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on, press
the button again. The warning light should go off.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
3-35

Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
This message will be displayed when your vehicle has a
brake problem. The brake system warning light will
also be illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes aren’t working
properly. You should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-33for more information.
Service Vehicle Soon Message
This message will come on if you have engine problems.
These problems may not be obvious and may not
affect vehicle performance or durability. Consult a
qualied dealership for necessary repairs to maintain
top vehicle performance. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
3-51