trailer 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

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning along with a low coolant message
can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed
previously in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-34

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

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

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

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-34
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-33
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-39
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-39
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-27
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-29
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-38
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-6
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-33
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-72
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-27
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-51
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-23
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-24
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-29
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Brake System Warning.................................3-33
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-31
TCS Warning Light......................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-35
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
8

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

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

W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-26
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid Low Warning Message.................3-50
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-97
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-39
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-20
What Kind of Oil to Use..................................5-24
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-23
What to Use..................................5-30, 5-45, 5-46
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-79
Replacement...............................................5-79
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-19
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-22
When to Check......................................5-24, 5-72
When to Check and Change............................5-26
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-45
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-25When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-43
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-40
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-10
Window Lock Out...........................................2-14
Windows.......................................................2-13
Power........................................................2-14
Windshield Washer.........................................3-10
Fluid..........................................................5-46
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-63
Fuses......................................................5-103
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-9
Winter Driving................................................4-25
X
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-97
XM™ Satellite Radio Service....................3-57, 3-94
XM™ Satellite Radio Service (48 Contiguous
US States).........................................3-68, 3-79
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
16