check engine light CHEVROLET IMPALA 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
Driving and Operating 161
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 106. ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always
be activated, even if the ignition is
off. To prevent draining the battery,
avoid repeated cycles of the EPB
system when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0105
and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 105.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
164 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0147
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC is on the center console,
behind the shift lever.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
Driving and Operating 189
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, get
the right type of cap from your
dealer. The wrong type of fuel cap
may not fit properly, may turn on
the malfunction indicator lamp,
and could damage the fuel
system and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0103.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
. Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
. Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using electronic
devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle to tow a trailer. Read the
entire section before towing a trailer.
To tow a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0262. To tow
the vehicle behind another vehicle
such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0262.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{Warning
You can lose control when towing
a trailer if the correct equipment is
not used or the vehicle is not
driven properly. For example,
if the trailer is too heavy or the
(Continued)

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
Driving and Operating 197
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0103
. A device connected to the DLC
— such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 062 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 062.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
198 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 199
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 200
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 206
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 208
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 212
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Battery - North America . . . . . . 216
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 217
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 218
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 218
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 219
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 220
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 224
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Electrical System Overload . . . 225
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 226
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 234
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
Vehicle Care 215
Caution
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. See Capacities and
Specifications 0288.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete 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 may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0203 for
the location of the reservoir. Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
282 Service and Maintenance
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0284 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
316 Index
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 167
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 197
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 208
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 57
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Airbag System (cont'd)
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 53
Airbags Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 101
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Alert Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 181
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 161 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 176

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
Index 317
AutomaticDimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . 180
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
B
Battery
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Battery - North America . . . . 216, 259
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 218
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 104
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Braking (cont'd)
Automatic
Emergency (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 151
Bulb Replacement
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 224
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 California
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .199, 216, 259, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 85
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 102
Check Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 65

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/5/19
Index 319
Driving (cont'd)Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 145
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 147
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 161
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 105
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 226
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Engine (cont'd)
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 203
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 157
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 302
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 125
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 126
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 127
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 207
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 40
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 140
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187