service CHEVROLET IMPALA 2012 9.G Owner's Guide

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
5-34 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this message
displays when the system is not
functioning properly. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light on page 5‑21. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑30 for more information.
Have the TCS serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message may display and the ESC/
TCS light on the instrument panel
cluster may be on after first driving
the vehicle and exceeding 30 km/h
(19 mph) for 30 seconds. The ESC
system is not functional until the
light has turned off. See Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑32 for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays when the ESC is
turned off manually. See Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑32 for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
message displays when the TCS
turns off. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑30 for
more information.
This message may display when the
ignition is in ON/RUN and
disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent
warning appears. Any of the following conditions may
cause the TCS to turn off:
.The TCS is turned off by
pressing the traction control
button. See
Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑30 for
more information.
.The battery is low.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this message
displays when the TCS is turned on.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑30 for more information.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there
is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑14 for
more information.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Anti-theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system programmed in the key.
A fault has been detected in the
system which means that the
system is disabled and it is not
protecting the vehicle. The vehicle
usually restarts; however, you may
want to take the vehicle to your
dealer before turning off the engine.
SeeImmobilizer Operation on
page 2‑12 for more information.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content
theft-deterrent system has detected
a break-in attempt while you were
away from your vehicle. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑11for more information.
Service Vehicle Messages
ERROR
This message displays while
viewing the odometer or trip
odometers if there is a problem with
the instrument panel cluster. See
your dealer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when a
problem is detected with the power
steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may
notice that the effort required to
steer the vehicle increases or feels
heavier, but you will still be able to
steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer immediately.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a
non-emissions related malfunction
occurs. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible.
STARTING DISABLED
SERVICE THROTTLE
This message displays if the starting
of the engine is disabled due to the
electronic throttle control system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately.
This message only appears while
the ignition is in ON/RUN, and will
not disappear until the problem is
resolved.
This message cannot be
acknowledged.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
5-36 Instruments and Controls
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
TPMS is not working properly. The
tire pressure light also flashes and
then remains on during the same
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure
Light on page 5‑22. Several
conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10‑44 for
more information. If the warning
comes on and stays on, there may
be a problem with the TPMS. See
your dealer.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the TPMS
is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be re-learned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
See Tire Inspection on page 10‑47,
Tire Rotation on page 10‑47, Tire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑43, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑41 for more information.
TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays LEFT FRT (left front),
RIGHT FRT (right front), LEFT RR
(left rear), or RIGHT RR (right rear)
to indicate the location of the low
tire. The low tire pressure warning light will also come on. See
Tire
Pressure Light on page 5‑22. You
can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To
read the other messages that may
have been sent at the same time,
press the set/reset button. If a tire
pressure message appears on the
DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have
the tire pressures checked and set
to those shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10‑35, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑11, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑41. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑24.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer for service.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-37
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
transmission fluid in your vehicle is
too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it
to idle until it cools down. If the
warning message continues to
display, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold
enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low. Fill
the windshield washer reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for the location of the
windshield washer reservoir. Also,
see Washer Fluid on page 10‑18 for
more information.
Vehicle
Personalization
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 the 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.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-5
EQ (Equalization):Press this
button to choose bass and treble
equalization settings designed for
different types of music. Selecting
MANUAL or changing bass or treble
returns the EQ to the manual bass
and treble settings.
Unique EQ settings can be saved
for each source.
If the radio has a Bose
®audio
system, the EQ settings are either
MANUAL or TALK.
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade) Radio with CD
To adjust the balance or fade:
1. Press the
`button or press the
fknob until the speaker control
label displays.
2. To adjust the setting, do one of the following:
.Turn thefknob.
.Press¨SEEK or©SEEK.
.Press\FWD orsREV.
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade) Radio with
CD (MP3)
BAL/FADE (Balance/Fade): To
adjust the balance or fade:
1. Press the
fknob until the
speaker control tabs display.
2. Highlight the desired speaker control tab by doing one of the
following:
.Press thefknob.
.Press the softkey under the
desired tab.
3. Adjust the setting by doing one of the following:
.Turn thefknob clockwise
or counterclockwise.
.Press¨SEEK or©SEEK.
.Press\FWD orsREV. To quickly adjust all speaker and
tone controls to the middle position,
press the
fknob for more than
two seconds.
If the Rear Seat Audio (RSA) is
turned on, the radio disables FADE
and mutes the rear speakers.
Radio Messages
Calibration Error: Displays if the
radio is no longer calibrated
properly for the vehicle. The vehicle
must be returned to your dealer for
service.
Loc or Locked: Displays when the
TheftLock
®system has activated.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if
an error cannot be corrected,
contact your dealer.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
7-8 Infotainment System
Storing a Radio Station as a
Favorite, Radio with CD (MP3)
Radios that have a FAV button store
radio stations as favorites.
To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to a radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to displaythe page where the station will
be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the 6 softkeys until a beep sounds.
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to store additional radio stations.
The number of favorites pages can
be set up using the MENU button.
To set up the number of favorites
pages:
1. Press the MENU button.
2. Press the softkey located below the FAV 1-6 tab. 3. Select the number of favorites
pages by pressing the softkey
located below the displayed
page numbers.
4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time out, to return to the
original main radio screen
showing the radio station
frequency tabs and to begin the
process of programming
favorites.
Satellite Radio
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM is a satellite radio service that is
based in the 48 contiguous United
States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM Satellite Radio has a wide
variety of programming and
commercial-free music,
coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality
sound. A service fee is required to
receive the XM service. If XM
Service needs to be reactivated, the
radio will display “No Subscription
Please Renew” on channel XM1. For more information, contact XM at
www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
4(Information) (XM Satellite Radio
Service): For vehicles with XM,
press
4to display additional text
information related to the current
XM channel. If information is
available, the song title information
displays on the top line of the
display and artist information
displays on the bottom line. When
information is not available, “NO
INFO” displays.
Auto Text (Satellite Radio
Service): If additional information is
available for the current song being
played, Auto Text will automatically
page/scroll the information every
three seconds above the FAV
presets on the radio display. By
default, Auto Text is enabled.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-11
XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language
Channels):These channels, or any
others, can be blocked at a
customer's request, by calling
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
XM Updating: The encryption code
in the receiver is being updated, and
no action is required. This process
should take no longer than
30 seconds.
No XM Signal: The system is
functioning correctly, but the vehicle
is in a location that is blocking the
XM signal. When the vehicle is
moved into an open area, the signal
should return.
Loading XM: The audio system is
acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This
message should disappear shortly. Channel Off Air:
This channel is
not currently in service. Tune in to
another channel.
Channel Unauth : This channel is
blocked or cannot be received with
your XM subscription package.
Channel Unavail: This previously
assigned channel is no longer
assigned. Tune to another station.
If this station was one of the
presets, choose another station for
that preset button.
No Artist Info: No artist
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly.
No Title Info: No song title
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly.
No CAT Info: No category
information is available at this time
on this channel. The system is
working properly. No Information:
No text or
informational messages are
available at this time on this
channel. The system is working
properly.
No Subscription Please Renew:
XM subscription needs to be
reactivated. Contact XM at
www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
CAT Not Found: There are no
channels available for the selected
category. The system is working
properly.
XM Theftlocked: The XM receiver
in the vehicle could have previously
been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM receivers cannot be
swapped between vehicles. If this
message is received after having
the vehicle serviced, check with
your dealer.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
7-12 Infotainment System
XM Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0,
this message alternates with the XM
Radio 8 digit radio ID label. This
label is needed to activate the
service.
Unknown: If this message is
received when tuned to channel 0,
there could be a receiver fault.
Consult with your dealer.
Check Antenna: If this message
does not clear within a short period
of time, the receiver or antenna
could have a fault. Consult with your
dealer.
Check XM Receivr: If this
message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver
could have a fault. Consult with your
dealer.
XM Not Available: If this message
does not clear within a short period
of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer.Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power
outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the
day, and then reduce these levels
during the night. Static can also
occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try
reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM signals only reach about
16 to 65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although
the radio has a built-in electronic
circuit that automatically works to
reduce interference, some static can
occur, especially around tall
buildings or hills, causing the sound
to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives
digital radio reception from coast to
coast in the 48 contiguous United
States, and in Canada. Just as with
FM, tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the XM signal for a period of time.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-25
Using the“Digit Dial” Command
The digit dial command allows a
phone number to be dialed by
entering the digits one at a time.
After each digit is entered, the
system repeats back the digit it
heard followed by a tone.
If an unwanted number is
recognized by the system, say
“Clear” at any time to clear the last
number.
To hear all of the numbers
recognized by the system, say
“Verify” at any time.
1. Press and hold
b/gfor
two seconds.
2. Say “Digit Dial.”
3. Say each digit, one at a time, that you want to dial. After each
digit is entered, the system
repeats back the digit it heard
followed by a tone. After the last
digit has been entered,
say “Dial.” Once connected, the person called
will be heard through the audio
speakers.
Using the
“Re‐dial”Command
1. Press and hold
b/gfor
two seconds.
2. After the tone, say “Re‐dial.”
Once connected, the person called
will be heard through the audio
speakers.
Receiving a Call
When an incoming call is received,
the audio system mutes and a ring
tone is heard in the vehicle.
.Pressb/gto answer the call.
.Pressc/xto ignore a call.
Call Waiting
Call waiting must be supported on
the cell phone and enabled by the
wireless service carrier.
.Pressb/gto answer an
incoming call when another call
is active. The original call is
placed on hold.
.Pressb/gagain to return to
the original call.
.To ignore the incoming call, no
action is required.
.Pressc/xto disconnect the
current call and switch to the call
on hold.
Three‐Way Calling
Three‐way calling must be
supported on the cell phone and
enabled by the wireless service
carrier.
1. While on a call, press
b/g.
2. Say “Three‐way call.”

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-7
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills,
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).