service CHEVROLET IMPALA 2013 9.G Service Manual

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-19
Console Shift
If the console shift lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regularbrakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. See Ignition Positions
on page 9‑13 for more
information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift lever is
pushed all the way into P (Park).
4. Press the shift lever button.
5. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If the column shift lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes. 2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/
RUN position. See Ignition
Positions on page 9‑13 for more
information.
3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the N (Neutral) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged,
or improperly repaired. (Continued)

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
9-22 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle. D (Drive):
This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
.Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to
accelerate slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. You can
drive in L (Low) when you are
driving less than 56 km/h (35 mph)
and D (Drive) for higher speeds
until then.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding, see "Skidding" under
Loss of Control on page 9‑4. L (Low):
This position gives you
access to gear ranges. This
provides more engine braking but
lower fuel economy than D (Drive).
You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. See the
following text on Manual Mode.Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission,
which can help control the vehicle's

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
9-26 Driving and Operating
When the system is on, this warning
light comes on and stays on if there
is a problem.
A SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
message also appears on the DIC.
When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Ride Control System Messages on
page 5‑30for more information.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, TCS
should always be left on. But the
system can be turned off if needed.
Turn the system off if the vehicle
gets stuck in sand, mud, or snow
and rocking the vehicle is required.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck on
page 9‑8 for more information.To turn the system on or off, press
the ESC OFF button located on the
instrument panel.
When the system is turned off, the
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message appears on the DIC. If the
traction control system is limiting
wheel spin when the button is
pressed to turn the system off, the
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message will appear on the DIC and
the system will turn off right away.
Press the ESC OFF button again to
turn the system back on. The
TRACTION CONTROL ON
message will appear in the DIC.
Adding non‐dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3 for more information.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
Your vehicle may have an Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system
which combines antilock brake, traction, and stability control
systems and helps the driver
maintain directional control of the
vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you first start your vehicle
and begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with
your vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches
32 km/h (20 mph).
If the system fails to turn on or
activate due to a fault, the ESC/TCS
light will be on solid, and the
SERVICE STABILITRAK message
will be displayed. If the system fails
to turn on or activate due to it not
initializing, the DIC will display
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING.
For more information, see
Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑30.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-27
This light will flash on the instrument
panel cluster when the ESC system
is both on and activated.
You may also feel or hear the
system working; this is normal.
When the light is on solid and the
SERVICE STABILITRAK message
is displayed, the system will not
assist the driver in maintaining
directional control of the vehicle.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Ride Control System Messages on
page 5‑30.
The Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is
automatically enabled whenever you
start your vehicle. To assist the
driver with vehicle directional
control, especially in slippery roadconditions, you should always leave
the system on. But, you can turn
ESC off if you ever need to.
If the vehicle is in cruise control
when the system begins to assist
the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS
light will flash and the cruise control
will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow you to use
cruise again, you may re-engage
the cruise control. See
Cruise
Control on page 9‑28.
The ESC OFF button is located on
the instrument panel.
The traction control system can be
turned off or back on by pressing
the ESC OFF button. To disable
both traction control and ESC, press
and hold the button briefly.
When the ESC system is turned off,
the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message will appear, the
STABILITRAK OFF message will
appear, and the ESC OFF light will
be on solid to warn the driver that
both traction control and ESC are
disabled.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow,
and you want to “rock”your vehicle
to attempt to free it. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road
conditions where high wheel spin is
required. See If the Vehicle Is Stuck
on page 9‑8.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
9-28 Driving and Operating
ESC may also turn off automatically
if it determines that a problem exists
with the system. The SERVICE
STABILITRAK message and the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid to
warn the driver that ESC is disabled
and requires service. If the problem
does not clear after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer
for service. SeeRide Control
System Messages on page 5‑30 for
more information.
Adding non‐dealer accessories can
affect your vehicle performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3 for more information.Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads. If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS) and the
cruise control is on, TCS will begin
to limit wheel spin and the cruise
control automatically turns off . See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑25. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, the
cruise control can be turned
back on.
The cruise control buttons are
located on left side of the steering
wheel.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
Vehicles that have a yellow fuel cap
can use either unleaded gasoline or
ethanol fuel containing up to 85%
ethanol (E85). SeeFuel E85 (85%
Ethanol) on page 9‑33. For all other
vehicles, use only the unleaded
gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑31.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet
ASTM specification D 4814. Some
gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. See
Fuel Additives
on page 9‑32.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑14. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition
is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
Never use leaded gasoline or any
other fuel not recommended in the
previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
9-32 Driving and Operating
To check the fuel availability, ask an
auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
Fuel Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now
required to contain additives that
help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing the
emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, nothing
should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of
additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean
and avoid problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Look for the
TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to
ensure gasoline meets enhanced
detergency standards developed by
the auto companies. A list ofmarketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel
tank at every engine oil change, can
help clean deposits from fuel
injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We
recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:
This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not
reformulated for low emissions can
contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce
spark plug life and affect emission
control system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer for service.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-33
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a yellow fuel cap
can use either unleaded gasoline or
ethanol fuel containing up to 85%
ethanol (E85). For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described underRecommended
Fuel on page 9‑31.
We encourage the use of E85 in
vehicles that are designed to use it.
The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable”
fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn
and other crops.
Many service stations will not have
an 85% ethanol fuel (E85) pump
available. The U.S. Department of
Energy has an alternative fuels
website (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/
locator/stations/) that can help you
find E85 fuel. Those stations that do
have E85 should have a label
indicating ethanol content. Do not
use the fuel if the ethanol content is
greater than 85%. At a minimum, E85 should meet
ASTM Specification D 5798 or
CGSB Specification 3.512. Filling
the tank with fuel mixtures that do
not meet ASTM or CGSB
specifications can affect driveability
and could cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on. As the
outside temperature approaches
freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol,
the same as with unleaded
gasoline.
The starting characteristics of E85
fuel make it unsuitable for use when
temperatures fall below
−18°C (0°
F). In the range of −18°C (0°F) to 0°
C (32°F), it may take more time to
start the engine.
E85 has less energy per liter
(gallon) than gasoline, so you will
need to refill the fuel tank more
often when using E85 than when
you are using gasoline. See Filling
the Tank on page 9‑34. Notice:
Some additives are not
compatible with E85 fuel and can
harm the vehicle's fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85.
Damage caused by additives
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Notice: This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Driving and Operating 9-39
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 10‑14.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on your
vehicle's tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lbs). But even that
can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section. Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum trailer
weight.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See
Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-8
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-10
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-14 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-15
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-20
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-21
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 10-24
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-25
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-33
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40