fuel CHEVROLET IMPALA 2007 9.G Owner's Manual

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might
not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run the engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
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You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 277.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 372.
276

Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door.
The label shows the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.If the vehicle is going to carry a heavy load,
spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
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But trailering is different than just driving your
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to
be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of the
added weight. The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be
state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a
hitch dealer/retailer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle
is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
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Service........................................................ 296
Accessories and Modications................... 296
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 297
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 297
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 298
Fuel............................................................. 298
Gasoline Octane........................................ 298
Gasoline Specications.............................. 299
California Fuel........................................... 299
Additives................................................... 299
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 300
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 301
Filling the Tank......................................... 302
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 304
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 304
Hood Release........................................... 305
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 306
Engine Oil................................................. 310
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 314
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 316
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 317Engine Coolant.......................................... 320
Pressure Cap............................................ 323
Engine Overheating................................... 323
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 326
Cooling System......................................... 326
Power Steering Fluid................................. 332
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 333
Brakes...................................................... 334
Battery...................................................... 337
Jump Starting............................................ 338
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 343
Bulb Replacement....................................... 343
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 344
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps............. 344
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 346
License Plate Lamp................................... 348
Replacement Bulbs................................... 349
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 349
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
293

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 396.
If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code K
only), you can use either regular unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85);
also seeFuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 300.In
all other engines, use only regular unleaded
gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles except those with the 5.3L V8
engine (VIN Code C), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise
when you drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
the engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine
(VIN Code C), use premium unleaded gasoline
with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher.
You can also use regular unleaded gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you
might notice a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane
is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
298

Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 299for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See the
underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not
available in states adopting California emissions
standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specications, but emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on and your
vehicle may fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 185. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your
warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer has additives that will help correct
and prevent most deposit-related problems.
299

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer for service.Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at
the top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 396.
If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine
(VIN Code K only), you can use either regular
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to
85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel on page 298.
In all other engines, including the 3.5L V6
(VIN Code N), use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Only vehicles that have the 3.5L V6 engine
(VIN Code K) can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85).
We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that
are designed to use it. The ethanol in E85
is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/
locator.html) that can help you nd E85 fuel.
Those stations that do have E85 should have a
label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the
fuel if the ethanol content is greater than 85%.
300

At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798. By denition, this means
that fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content
between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank with
fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM specications
can affect driveability and could cause the check
engine light to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85
fuel must be formulated properly for your climate
according to ASTM specication D 5798. If you
have trouble starting on E85, it could be because
the E85 fuel is not properly formulated for your
climate. If this happens, switching to gasoline or
adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency
below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank
should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best
not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and
E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add
less than three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You
should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle
to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline,
so you will need to rell the fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 302.Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and can harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. Do not add anything to E85. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
301

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If
the vehicle has E85 fuel capability, a yellow cap
with the words “E85/gasoline” can be seen.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
the cap is released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap on the
hook on the inside of the fuel door.
302