warning light CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G Owner's Manual

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is lled with DOT-3
brake uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason isthat uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to “top off” your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-33.
5-47

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-49

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-46
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-103
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-60, 3-71, 3-82
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-32
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-51
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-60
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
ALARM (Content Theft Operation).....................2-49
AM ...............................................................3-94
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-96
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-97
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-35Appearance Care............................................5-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-100
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-94
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-97
Finish Damage..........................................5-100
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-100
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-101
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-15
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Ashtrays........................................................3-20
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-93
Backglass Antenna......................................3-96
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-94
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-96
Care of Your CDs........................................3-96
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-97
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-57
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-78
Radio with CD............................................3-68
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-92
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-94
Vehicle Customization Settings......................3-97
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-97
AUTOLOCK (Automatic Door Lock and Unlock) . . . 2-46
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-96
Backing Up....................................................4-41
Battery..........................................................5-50
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-18
Battery Warning Message................................3-45
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Low Fluid Warning Message.........................3-51
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-33
Brake Fluid....................................................5-47
Brake Wear...................................................5-49
Brakes..........................................................5-47
Braking........................................................... 4-6Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-58
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-58
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-59
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-62
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps...................................5-61
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications..........................5-110
Carbon Monoxide...................4-25, 4-37, 2-11, 2-31
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-94
Your CD Player...........................................3-96
Your CDs ...................................................3-96
2

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

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

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