mirror CHEVROLET IMPALA 2006 9.G User Guide

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even
several seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark.
When you are faced with severe glare, as from a
driver who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle
with misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made
much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the
glass can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass
makes lights dazzle and ash more than clean
glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract
repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out
dimly lighted objects. Just as the headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
4-16

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to
the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain
you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
4-20

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles
that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-21

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good
deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-40

Fuses Usage
PWR/SEAT Power Seats
PWR/WNDW Power Window
RAP Retained Accessory Power
HTD/SEAT Heated Seats
AUX Auxiliary Outlets
Fuses Usage
AMP Amplier
S/ROOF Sunroof
ONSTAR OnStar
®
CNSTR Canister
DR/LCK Door Locks
PWR/MIR Power Mirrors
AIRBAG Airbags
DECKLID Trunk
Fuses Usage
DECKLID RLY Trunk Relay
5-95

Fuses Usage
LT PARK Driver’s Side Parking Lamp
RT PARK Passenger’s Side Parking Lamp
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
AIRBAG/
DISPLAYAirbag, Display
TRANS Transaxle
ECM IGN Engine Control Module, Ignition
RT T/SIG Passenger’s Side Turn Signal
LT T/SIG Driver’s Side Turn Signal
DRL 1 Daytime Running Lamps 1
HORN Horn
SPARE Spare
PWR DROP/
CRANKPower Drop, Crank
STRG WHL Steering Wheel
ECM/TCMEngine Control Module,
Transmission Control ModuleFuses Usage
RVC SEN Regulated Voltage Control Sensor
RADIO Audio System
FOG LAMPS Fog Lamps
SPARE Spare
BATT 4 Battery 4
STRTR Starter
ABS MTR1 Anti-lock Brake System Motor 1
BATT 3 Battery 3
WSW Windshield Wiper
HTD MIR Heated Mirror
SPARE Spare
BATT 1 Battery 1
ABS MTR2 Anti-lock Brake System Motor 2
BATT 2 Battery 2
INT LIGHTS Interior Lamps
INT LTS/
PNL DIMInterior Lamps, Instrument Panel
Dimmer
A/C CMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor
5-97

Lighting (cont.)
Entry.........................................................3-16
Parade Dimming..........................................3-17
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-29
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-11
Door ..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door ................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
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....................................6-14Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-34
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-45
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-34
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-36
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-17
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-35
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-90
Parade Dimming.............................................3-17Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Parking
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-19
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-17
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Eight-Way Seats........................................... 1-3
Electrical System.........................................5-94
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-38
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-28
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-31
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-11
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-16
9

R
Radios..........................................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-85
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-85
Radio with CD....................................3-62, 3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-60
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-83
Understanding Reception..............................3-84
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-29
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-43
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-26
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-43
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-34
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-34
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-34
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-4Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-74
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-52
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-70
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-22
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-24
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-29
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-33
S
Safety Belt
Passenger Reminder Light............................3-26
Pretensioners..............................................1-31
Reminder Light............................................3-26
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