engine CHEVROLET IMPALA 2008 9.G Owners Manual

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your
vehicle has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada
immediately, in addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Branch
2780 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
7-15

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-67
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-32
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag System................................................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?........1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-57
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle............................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-60
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-66
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-60
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-88
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-88
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-35Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-96
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-96
Tires
..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-21
Audio System.................................................3-66
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-86
Backglass Antenna......................................3-88
Radio Reception..........................................3-87
Setting the Time..........................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-85
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-88
1

Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-26
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-88
Battery..........................................................5-42
Electric Power Management..........................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71C
Calibration.....................................................3-49
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-103
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-34, 4-16, 4-27
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-80
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-48
Center Seat..................................................... 1-8
Chains, Tire...................................................5-76
Charging System Light....................................3-34
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-39
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95Climate Control System...................................3-22
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-25
Clock............................................................3-67
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-89
Compass.......................................................3-49
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................
3-38
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-37
Heater, Engine............................................2-25
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-48
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-39
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-37
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Running While Parked..................................2-34
Starting......................................................2-23
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-77
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-87
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-42
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage.........................................................3-43
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-100
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Fuel..........................................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-41
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-48
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-47
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-99
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System...................................................3-16
Delayed.....................................................3-15
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14Headlamps (cont.)
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-22
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-43
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-14
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-15
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-61
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-17
Cluster.......................................................3-28
6

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-55
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-17
Dome........................................................3-17
Mirror Reading............................................3-19
Reading.....................................................3-19
Lap Belt........................................................1-29
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-24
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-51
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-31
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-35
Brake System Warning.................................3-34Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-34
Cruise Control.............................................3-43
Electronic StabiliTrak
®Control Indicator...........3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-37
Fog Lamp..................................................3-42
Highbeam On.............................................3-43
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-39
Oil Pressure...............................................3-42
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-42
TCS Warning Light......................................3-36
Tire Pressure..............................................3-38
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-36
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-18
Delayed Exit...............................................3-18
Entry.........................................................3-17
Parade Dimming..........................................3-18
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-21
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
7

O
Odometer......................................................3-29
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-42
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-38
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-42
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-25
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-37
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-37
Power Mirrors.............................................2-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-96
Parade Dimming.............................................3-18
Park Brake....................................................2-30
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-30
Shifting Out of............................................2-32
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-32
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-26
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-62
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-20
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-99
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-37
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-29
9

Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar.......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-12
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID),
Privacy......................................................7-18
Radios..........................................................3-66
Radio(s)........................................................3-69
Radios
Reception...................................................3-87
Setting the Time..........................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-85
Reading Lamps..............................................3-19
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-48
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-48
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-36
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-36
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-35Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-81
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-79
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-52
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-68
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-69
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-20
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-34
10