towing CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G Owner's Manual

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side, near
the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a warning
message about a hot engine on your instrument
panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-36andHot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 3-45.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. Driving extended miles (km) and/or
towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-18.
5-32

of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, console
door and any folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-29for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper supercharger
oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs
rst). See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
6-8

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

Engine (cont.)
Overheating................................................5-32
Starting......................................................2-18
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-24
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-43
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-21
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-41
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
EXIT (Exit Feature Customization Mode)..............2-52
Express-Down Window....................................2-14
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).........................3-60, 3-71, 3-82
Finding a Station............................3-58, 3-69, 3-80
Finish Care....................................................5-98
Finish Damage.............................................5-100
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-81
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-82Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-45
Windshield Washer......................................5-46
FM Stereo.....................................................3-94
FOB HORN (Remote Audible Verication)...........2-48
FOB LIGHT (Remote Visual Verication)............2-47
FOB PROG (Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter
Programming).............................................2-52
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-41
Front Storage Area.........................................2-42
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Message.................................3-50
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-103
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-103
6

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

Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar®.....................................................2-34
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-30
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-11
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-85
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-83
Removing the Wheel Covers and the
Wheel Nut Caps..........................................5-84
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-62
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-50
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-11
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink
®Button.......2-41
Resetting Defaults...........................................2-41
Resetting the Trip Computer.............................3-55
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-60
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-61Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-60
Replacing Parts...........................................1-61
Resynchronization............................................. 2-7
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-30
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-32
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-31
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-97
Center Front Passenger Position....................1-23
Driver Position............................................1-14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-28
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-24
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-30
12

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