coolant temperature CHEVROLET IMPALA 2005 8.G Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is attached to the underside of the
diagonal brace, which is located above the engine
air cleaner/lter assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-19

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Delayed Headlamps......................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System.....................................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18
Parade Dimming...........................................3-18Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-21
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-30
Trip Odometer..............................................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-30
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-33
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Cruise Control Light......................................3-38
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-38
Fuel Gage...................................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Message Center.............................................3-40
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-40
Traction Active Message................................3-41
Battery Warning Message..............................3-41
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-42
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-42
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-43
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-44
Low Tire Message........................................3-44
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-45
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-45
Security Message.........................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-46
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-47
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-47
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-48
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-48Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
Trip Computer................................................3-51
Audio System(s).............................................3-52
Setting the Time...........................................3-52
Radio with Cassette......................................3-53
Radio with CD..............................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-74
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-87
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-87
Radio Reception...........................................3-88
Care of the Cassette Tape Player...................3-88
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-90
Care of the CD Player...................................3-90
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-90
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-91
Vehicle Customization Settings.......................3-91
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-91
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States — 3800
Supercharged V6
Engine Cluster
Canada — 3800
Supercharged V6
Engine Cluster
United States — 3400
V6 Engine ClusterUnited States — 3800
V6 Engine Cluster
Canada — 3400 V6
Engine ClusterCanada — 3800 V6
Engine Cluster
3-34

This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During the majority of the operation, the
gage will read 210°F (100°C) or less.
If you are pulling a load or going up hills, it is normal
for the temperature to uctuate and approach the
250°F (122°C) mark. When the gage reads greater
than 250°F (122°C), the HOT COOLANT TEMP light
will be illuminated in the message center and a
chime will sound continuously. If the gage reaches the
260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates that the cooling
system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-32.Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.United States
Canada
3-35

Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling system
temperature gets hot. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-29,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-34andEngine
Overheating on page 5-32for further information.
Low Oil Pressure Message
This message is displayed in the message center when
the engine oil pressure is low. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
If this occurs, you should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. United StatesCanada
United StatesCanada
3-42

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-32.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-29

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 3-34andHot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 3-42.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-34for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-34for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
5-32

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.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Pressure Cap3400 V6 Engine
5-34

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When this message is displayed in the message center,
it means the vehicle is low on windshield washer
uid. You should add more windshield washer uid
soon. SeeLow Washer Fluid Warning Message
on page 3-46for more information.Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint. United States
Canada
5-44