windshield wipers CHEVROLET IMPALA 2012 9.G Owners Manual

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
1-10 In Brief
Map Lamps
The vehicle has map lamps on the
rearview mirror. Push the button
near each lamp to turn the map
lamps on and off.
For more information on interior
lighting, see:
.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
.Courtesy Lamps on page 6‑6.
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel.
P:Briefly turn to this position to
manually turn the automatic lamp
control and Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) off or on. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, the off position
only works when the vehicle is
shifted into the P (Park) position.
AUTO: Automatically operates the
headlamps and other exterior lamps
at normal brightness.
;: Turns on the parking lamps,
taillamps, and license plate lamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps and
other exterior lamps.
#: (If Equipped) Turns on the fog
lamps.
For more information, see:
.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
.Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System on
page 6‑3.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
8: Single wipe, turn to8, then
release. Several wipes, hold the
band on
8longer.
9: Turns the windshield
wipers off.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
Windshield Wiper/Washer
Turn the band with the wiper symbol
to control the windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Single wipe, turn to8,
then release. Several wipes, hold
the band on
8longer.
9(Off): Turns the windshield
wipers off.
6(Adjustable Interval Wipes):
Turn the band up for more frequent
wipes or down for less frequent
wipes.
6(Low Speed): Slow
wipes.
?(High Speed): Fast wipes.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced. See Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 10‑24.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. A circuit breaker will
stop the motor until it cools down.
Windshield Washer
Push the paddleLat the top of the
lever to spray washer fluid 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. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑18.
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
When the vehicle is low on washer
fluid, 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 fluid level is low.
Until the fluid reservoir is refilled,
every time the vehicle is started, the
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) for
60 seconds. See Washer Fluid
Messages on page 5‑37.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
8-6 Climate Controls
To change the passenger
compartment air filter:
1. Turn off the ignition when thewindshield wipers are in the up
position.
2. Raise the vehicle hood.
3. Pull back the hood weatherstrip from the passenger side of the
vehicle halfway to center.
4. Remove the air inlet grilleretainers.
5. Lift the air inlet grille and disconnect the washer hose at
the quick-connect.
6. Remove the air inlet grille. 7. Remove the water deflector
plate.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For best climate control system
performance, reinstall the air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑12.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
9-18 Driving and Operating
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the
position in which you can operate
the radio and windshield wipers
while the engine is off. To use ACC/
ACCESSORY, turn the key
clockwise.
C (ON/RUN): This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning
and indicator lights. This position
can also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time. D (START):
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning chime will sound and the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display DRIVER DOOR OPEN
when the driver door is opened, the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the
ignition. See Door Ajar Messages
on page 5‑30 for more information.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only. Notice:
Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will slow
down as the engine warms. Do
not race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for
a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-30 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block
is located on the passenger side of
the engine compartment, by the
battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for more
information on location.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.