power steering CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004 8.G Owners Manual

What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inates?
After the air bag inates, it quickly deates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag inated.
Some components of the air bag module will be hot for a
short time. These components include the steering wheel
hub for the driver’s frontal air bag and the instrument
panel for the right front passenger’s frontal air bag. For
vehicle’s with a driver’s side impact air bag, the side of
the seatback closest to the driver’s door will be hot. The
parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be
warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke
and dust coming from the vents in the deated air bags.
Air bag ination doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an air bag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can not get out of the vehicle after an air bag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by
using the door lock and interior lamp controls.
1-58

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have anti-lock, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold
it down — may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels
can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can not
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it
in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it is different. See “Anti-Lock Brake System”
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.Traction Control System (TCS)
(3800 V6 Engine)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system reduces
engine power and may also upshift the transaxle and
apply the front brakes to limit wheel spin.
4-8

To turn the system on or
off, press the TRAC OFF
button on the left side
of the instrument panel.
When you turn the system off, a chime will sound and the
TRAC OFF warning light will come on and stay on. If the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning light
will come on and the system will turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The TRAC OFF warning
light should go off.Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you
are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
4-10

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-32
Engine Overheating.......................................5-32Cooling System............................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-45
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-46
Brakes........................................................5-47
Battery........................................................5-50
Jump Starting...............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-58
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-59
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-61
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-62
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-63
Tires..............................................................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-72
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-73
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-76
Buying New Tires.........................................5-76
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-50.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-51.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Upperhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-32.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-35.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator” under
Cooling System on page 5-35.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-47.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-50.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-51.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Upperhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-32.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-35
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-45.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator” under
Cooling System on page 5-35.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-47.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-50.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeBattery
on page 5-50.
D. Underhood Electrical Center. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-35.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Below Generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-45.H. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-26.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-26.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-17

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located between the
power steering uid
reservoir and the
underhood fuse block in
the engine compartment
on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
5-30

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
It will have the above symbol on its cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the uid level on the dipstick.
When the 3400 V6 engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the H (hot) mark. When it’s cold, the level
should be at the C (cold) mark. If the uid is at the
ADD mark, you should add uid.
For the 3800 V6 engine, the level should be at the
HOT mark when the engine compartment is hot.
If the uid is at the ADD mark, you should add uid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-45

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) before a
tire has built up heat from driving. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-72.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
5-69