engine coolant CHEVROLET IMPALA 2013 9.G User Guide

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-11
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle. Notice:
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant mixture. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑12
and Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑14.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
10-12 Vehicle Care
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Depending on
the engine, use a 50/50 mixture
of deionized water or clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of deionized
water or clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be
added. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much deionized water or
clean, drinkable water in the
mixture can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts. Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
deionized water or clean drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-13
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank cap off, start the engine and let it run
until the upper radiator hose
starts getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By this

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
10-14 Vehicle Care
time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the mark pointed to on
the front of the coolant
surge tank.
5. Replace the cap. Be sure the cap is hand–tight and fully
seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature
gauge and a engine coolant
temperature warning light on the
instrument panel cluster that
indicate an overheated engine condition. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑11
and Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 5‑19 for
more information.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 10‑15 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem might not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning displays with
no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-15
2. Turn the heater on to the highesttemperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
engine coolant temperature warning
light no longer displays, the vehicle
can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes.
Keep a safe vehicle distance from
the vehicle in front. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also, see
Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 10‑15.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode, which alternates
firing groups of cylinders, helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is significant loss in
power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on in the
instrument cluster, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated
engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gauge also
indicates an overheat condition
exists. Driving extended distances and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Power Steering Fluid
See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑5 for information on the
location of the power steering fluid
reservoir.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless a
leak is suspected in the system or
an unusual noise is heard. A fluid
loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-17
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑5 for more information
on location.
Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced. Notice:
Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑6.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑38.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑44.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑16.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑8.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑44.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑6 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑8.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑11.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑16.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑65. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑21.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. SeeEngine Oil on page 10‑6.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on page 10‑11.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674)
or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
INDEX i-3
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . 13-9
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Engine TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Engine Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21 Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Customer Information Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . .13-11
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . 13-9
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-14
Daytime Running Lamps/ Automatic Headlamp
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Delayed Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Delayed Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 Diagnostics
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . 12-4
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . 1-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-6
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
i-4 INDEX
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Electrical System Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 9-26
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-5 Engine (cont'd)
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-27
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-20
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-14
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
F
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 10-9
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35