trunk CHEVROLET IMPALA 2007 9.G User Guide

The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action
may be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or
Service Battery Charging System.If this message is displayed, it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 199.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help prevent the
battery from being drained, if the interior courtesy
lamps, reading/map lamps, visor vanity lamps
or trunk lamp are accidentally left on. If any
of these lamps are left on, they will automatically
turn off after 10 minutes, if the ignition is off.
The lamps will not come back on again until
one of the following occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The exterior lamps control is turned off, then
on again.
The headlamps will timeout after 10 minutes, if they
are manually turned on before the ignition is off.
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TRUNK OPEN
This message displays when the trunk is not
closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is
closed completely. SeeTrunk on page 102.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off
the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for
more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn
signal on. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 153.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. The message will
not disappear until the turn signal is manually
turned off, or a turn is completed.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
This message displays when the windshield
washer uid is low. Fill the windshield washer
reservoir as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 306for the
location of the windshield washer reservoir. Also,
seeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 333for
more information.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle has customization capabilities
that allow you to program certain features to
one preferred setting. Customization features
can only be programmed to one setting on
the vehicle and cannot be programmed to a
preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be
available on your vehicle. Only the options
available will be displayed on your DIC.
The default settings for the customization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default
state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the
following procedure.
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency
supplies in the trunk.
Also seeTires on page 351.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply of windshield washer uid, a rag,
some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a
ashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reective
warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under
severe conditions, include a small bag of sand,
a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly
secure these items in your vehicle.
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If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else are put inside the vehicle, they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 432.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing
your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with
the inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
304

To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 102for
more information.
2. Remove the convenience net, if your vehicle
has one. Unhook the net from the upper
wing nut.
3. Remove the upper (convenience net)
wing nut.
4. Pull the carpet away from the rear of the
vehicle.5. Remove the two hex nuts.
6. Pull out the taillamp assembly and disconnect
the wiring harness.
347

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in
the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 102for
more information.
2. Remove the convenience net if the vehicle
has one.
3. Lift the handle on the spare tire cover. The
handle may hook on the front edge of the
trunk’s weatherstrip to hold the cover out of
the way.4. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and
remove it.
5. Remove the compact spare tire.
375

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have aluminum wheels with
exposed wheel nuts. Use the wheel wrench to
loosen all the wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
Or, your vehicle may have steel wheel covers.
To remove the steel wheel covers and wheel nut
caps, loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel
wrench in a counterclockwise direction. If needed,
you can nish loosening them with your ngers.
The plastic nut caps will not come off.Use the at end of the wheel wrench and pry
along the edge of the cover until it comes off.
The edge of the wheel cover could be sharp,
so do not try to remove it with your bare hands.
Do not drop the cover or lay it face down, as
it could become scratched or damaged. Store the
wheel cover in the trunk until you have the at
tire repaired or replaced.
Once you have removed the wheel cover, use the
following procedure to remove the at tire and
install the spare tire.
1. It is recommended that you do a safety check
before preceding. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 374for more information.
2. Turn the wheel
wrench once on
each wheel nut to
loosen them. Do not
remove them yet.
377

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment
in the passenger compartment of the
vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden
stop or collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in the
proper place.
After the compact spare tire has been installed on
the vehicle, store the at tire in the trunk.When storing a full-size tire, use the extension
with the protector, located in the foam holder,
to help avoid wheel surface damage.
To store a full-size tire:
1. Install the tools in their original location in the
trunk area and secure.
2. Place the tire valve stem facing down and
the protector/guide placed through a wheel
bolt hole.
3. Remove the protector and attach the retainer
securely.
4. Store the cover as far forward as possible.
When storing a compact spare tire in the trunk, put
the protector back in the foam holder.
383

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It
appears on a plate in the front corner of the
instrument panel, on the driver side. You can see
it if you look through the windshield from outside
your vehicle. The VIN also appears on the Vehicle
Certication and Service Parts labels and the
certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine
code. This code helps you identify your vehicle’s
engine, specications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
This label is in the trunk. It is very helpful if
you ever need to order parts. The label has the
following information:
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
396