ignition CHEVROLET IMPALA 2008 9.G Owner's Manual

The shift lock is always functional except in the case of a
an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-43.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-22for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Press the shift lever button
5. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-22for more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-33

Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net in the rear of
the vehicle. Put small loads behind the net. The net
is not for heavier loads. Store them as far forward
as you can.
Sunroof
If your vehicle is equipped
with a sunroof, the sunroof
switches are located on
the overhead console.
The sunroof can only be operated when the ignition is
in ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-23.
Q(Vent/Express-Open):To vent the sunroof when
it is closed, press this switch once. When using
the vent, the sunshade should be fully opened.
The sunshade can be opened or closed manually by
sliding it rearward or forward.
From the vent position, press this switch again to
activate the express-open feature. Press the close
switch to stop movement of the sunroof. The sunshade
will automatically open when using express-open.
A deector will automatically pop up when the sunroof
is opened. The deector will retract when the sunroof
is closed.
R(Close):To close the sunroof, press and hold this
switch until the sunroof motor stops, or release the
switch when the desired position has been reached.
2-49

The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-25.
B. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Release” underTrunk on page 2-13.
C. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-28.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Driver Information Center. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
G. Passenger Air Bag status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-32.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-66.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
J. Instrument Panel Brightness. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-17.
K. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.L. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-6.
M. Steering Wheel Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
O. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-86.
Q. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-22.
R. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-22.
S. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
“Console Shift Lever” underShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-30.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-48.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn others.
They also let police know you have a problem.
The front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on
and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not in the
ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. The steering wheel can be raised to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
3-6

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return by itself when
you release it. If you momentarily press and release the
lever, the turn signal will ash three times.
If the arrow ashes faster than normal as you signal a
turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-99.
Turn Signal On Chime
If either one of the turn signals are left on and you have
drove more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
front of the vehicle.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on if
the high beam lamps
are turned on while the
ignition is on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward the rear of the vehicle.
3-8

Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there is a paddle
with the windshield washer symbol on it. Push the
paddle to spray washer uid on the windshield.
The wipers run for several sweeps and then either stop
or return to the preset speed. The ignition key must
be in ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN for this to work.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.When the vehicle is low on washer uid, the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) for 60 seconds. When the
ignition is turned off, this message displays again for
three seconds to remind you that the uid level is low.
Until the uid reservoir is relled, every time the vehicle
is started, the WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
message displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
for 60 seconds. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-52.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
3-10

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until you reach the desired lower speed,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
will slow down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. If the brakes
are applied the cruise control will turn off. Many drivers
nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[button on the steering wheel.
Press theTbutton on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
3-13

2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the following lamps
listed below. A warning chime will sound if you open
the driver’s door when the ignition switch is off and the
headlamps are on.
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
-(Fog Lamps) (If Equipped):Push the fog lamps
control in to turn on the fog lamps.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave the area around your
vehicle. The feature is activated when the headlamps
are on due to the automatic headlamps control
feature described previously in this section, and when
the ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then
remain on until the exterior lamps control is moved to
the parking lamps position or until the pre-selected
delayed headlamp lighting period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the headlamps switch in
the parking lamps or headlamps position, the delayed
headlamps cycle will not occur.
To disable the delayed headlamps feature or change
the time of delay, seeDIC Vehicle Customization
on page 3-60.
3-15

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system’s automatic headlamp control will
make the low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps, at
a reduced level of brightness, will be on. The headlamps,
taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel and cluster will also not be lit.When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on
with the headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will go
off and the DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when it is needed.
Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps,
the control is located on the exterior lamps control.
The exterior lamps control is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for the
fog lamps to come on.
Press the exterior lamps button to turn the fog lamps on
or off. A light will come on in the instrument panel
cluster.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the
fog lamps also go off.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-16

Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):The knob with
this symbol on it is located next to the exterior lamps
control. Push the knob in all the way until it extends out
and then turn the knob clockwise to brighten or
counterclockwise to dim the lights. Push the knob back
in when nished.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is opened, the courtesy lamps
automatically come on. They make it easy for you to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also manually turn
these lamps on by fully turning the instrument panel
brightness control clockwise.
The reading lamps, located on the rearview mirror,
can be turned on or off independent of the automatic
courtesy lamps, when the doors are closed.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn this lamp on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control clockwise.
Entry Lighting
Your vehicle may have courtesy lamps that will come on
and stay on for a set time whenever the unlock symbol
is pressed on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Transmitter, if the vehicle has one.
If a door is opened, the lamps stay on while it is open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds
after the door is closed. If the unlock symbol is pressed
and you do not open a door, the lamps turn off after
about 20 seconds.
Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps do not turn off at
the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after
the delay time until they go out. The delay time is
canceled if you turn the ignition key to ON/RUN or
press the power door lock switch. The lamps will dim
right away.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps will not come on unless
a door is opened.
3-17