ignition CHEVROLET IMPALA 2005 8.G User Guide

ACC (Accessory):This is the position in which you
can operate your electrical accessories. With the key in
this position, the ignition and automatic transaxle
will unlock.
ON:This is the position to which the switch returns after
you start the engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in ON while the engine is running. But even when
the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate
your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster messages and warning lights.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
While the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
while the ignition is in OFF or ACC and the key is in
the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
If the vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP),
certain features will continue to operate for up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF unless
a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine warms up.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If the engine does not start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way
down while you turn the key to START. Do this until
the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of
the key.
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3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine
still will not start or starts briey but then stops
again, repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on
temperature. When the engine starts, release the
key and the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
your ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do the same thing. This
time keep the pedal down for ve or six seconds to
clear the extra gasoline from the engine. After waiting
about 15 seconds, repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-18

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the
steering column or on the console between the seats.
There is also a display, like the graphic above, located
on the instrument panel cluster that will indicate the
gear the vehicle is in.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic transaxle
vehicles while you are in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
to protect driveline components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-37.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition is in ON. 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). SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-25.
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To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot,
the parking brake pedal will follow it to the released
position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-37. That section shows what
to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-23. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-23

Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position,
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pulling it toward you or if you have the console shift
lever, without rst pushing the button. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
2-24

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-23.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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 2-20.
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 cannot
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.
2-25

Convenience Net
The vehicle may have a convenience net located on the
back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over.
The net is not for larger, heavier loads. Store those in
the trunk as far forward as possible.
Unhook the net so that it will lie at when not in use.
Sunroof
The vehicle may have a sunroof and a sunshade.
The switch is located on
the overhead console if
the vehicle is equipped
with a Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the vehicle is not equipped with a DIC, the sunroof
switch is located on the headliner.The sunroof can only be operated when the ignition is in
ACC, ON, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 2-17.
Vent:The sunroof has a vent position. To vent the
sunroof when it is closed, press the sunroof switch once
rearward. To close, push and hold the sunroof switch
forward. When using the vent, the sunshade should be
fully opened.
The sunshade can be opened or closed manually by
sliding it rearward or forward.
Open/Express:To activate the express-open feature,
press rearward twice on the sunroof switch. Press
the switch forward to stop movement of the sunroof.
The sunshade will automatically open when using
express-open.
Close:To close the sunroof, push and hold the switch
forward until the sunroof motor stops, or release the
switch when the desired position has been reached.
DIC Version Shown
2-37

Vehicle Personalization
Some of the convenience features can be reset or
customized to perform according to your preference.
Features you can program depend upon the options
that came with your vehicle. The following list shows
features that can be reset or customized along with
the options.
Settings (Available for All)
Engine Oil Life System Reset (Available for All)
Low Tire Pressure Reset (If Equipped)
Delayed Headlamp Illumination (Available for All)
Automatic Door Lock and Unlock (Available for All)
Remote Visual Verication (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)
Remote Audible Verication (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)
Content Theft Operation (Optional with Content
Theft System)
Trunk Jamb (Optional with Content Theft System)
Horn Chirp On Timer (Available with Remote
Keyless Entry)
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Programming
(Available with Remote Keyless Entry)
Return to Original Factory Settings
(Available for All)
Exit Vehicle Customization Mode
Programmable Modes
To reset or customize the features, rst enter the
vehicle customization main menu. To enter the main
menu, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON. The radio must
be off.
2. Press and hold the TUNE or DISP knob on the
radio for at least ve seconds until SETTINGS
is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK or PSCAN up or down arrows to
scroll through each available feature on your
main menu.
4. Press the PREV or NEXT buttons to scroll through
the lower menu. An asterisk (*) will appear next to
the item that is the current setting.
The following information shows how to reset or
customize features after entering the main menu.
2-38

LT DELAY
(Delayed Headlamp Illumination)
This feature allows the headlamps and parking lamps to
stay on for a set amount of time after you exit the
vehicle, or to turn off immediately.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:OFF
Mode 2:30 SEC
Mode 3:60 SEC
Your vehicle was originally programmed to Mode 2.
The mode may have been changed since then.
To determine the current mode, or to change the mode,
do the following:
1. Scroll, using the SEEK/PSCAN up or down arrows,
until LT DELAY appears on the display.
2. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the
submenu. The current selection will have an
asterisk (*) next to it. If you do not wish to change the
current mode, you can either exit the programming
mode by following the directions later in this section
or program the next feature available on your vehicle.
3. Scroll, using the PREV or NEXT buttons, through
the modes to change the current mode.4. With your preference displayed, press the
TUNE/DISP button to select. A chime will be heard
to verify the new setting. The new selection will
be displayed with an asterisk (*) for one second.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.AUTOLOCK
(Automatic Door Lock and Unlock)
With the ignition in ON and the doors closed, this feature
allows the vehicle doors to automatically lock and
unlock when the driver shifts the transaxle into and out
of PARK (P), or to turn the feature off.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:OFF
Mode 2:LCK ONLY — Automatic door lock
on/automatic door unlock off.
Mode 3:DRVR UNL — Automatic door lock
on/automatic door unlock on (driver’s door only).
Mode 4:ALL UNL — Automatic door lock on/automatic
door unlock on.
2-40

The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-99.
B. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped). See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
C. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option). SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-87.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-52.
G. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.I. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Release” underTrunk on page 2-10.
J. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-6.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
L. Steering Wheel Cruise Control (If Equipped).
SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
M. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-16.
N. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
“Console Shift Lever” underShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-23.
O. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control System
on page 3-21.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-36.
3-5