2004 Chevrolet Impala Owners Manual

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It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly. 1-25 When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-30. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so that you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. 1-26 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. 1-27 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one comfort guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and booster seats and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: 1-28 1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip. 2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top. 1-29 Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. 4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-25. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide into the clip. Turn the guide and clip inward and in between the seatback and the interior body, leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed. 1-30 Child Restraints Older Children Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. 1-31 Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that the belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 1-28. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-32 CAUTION: (Continued) this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. 1-33 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-34 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. 1-35 {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. 1-36 Child Restraint Systems {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. 1-37 A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. 1-38 Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. 1-39 A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may ﬁnd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system or the LATCH system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We, therefore, recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here is why: 1-40 Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. {CAUTION: A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger’s air bag if it inﬂates. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle – even when no child is in it. 1-41 Anchor the top strap to an anchor point speciﬁed in Top Strap Anchor Location on page 1-43. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. {CAUTION: Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. 1-42 Top Strap Anchor Location Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for the rear seating positions. You’ll ﬁnd them behind the rear seat on the ﬁller panel. Do not use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position because there is no place to anchor the top strap. 1-43 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll ﬁnd anchors (A) for all three rear seating positions. This system, designed to make installation of child restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead, it uses vehicle anchors (A, B) and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether strap (C). 1-44 The labels are located near the base of all three rear seating positions. {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System”, “Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position” or “Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position” in the Index for information on how to secure a child restraint in your vehicle. 1-45 In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint designed for that system. To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system has a label on the seatback at each lower anchor position. Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-44. See Top Strap on page 1-41 if the child restraint has one. Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System (Rear) 1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Attach and tighten the LATCH attachments on the child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-41. 5. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top tether from the top tether anchorage and then disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH anchorages. 1-46 {CAUTION: A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger’s air bag if it inﬂates. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-47 4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 1-48 To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-44. See Top Strap on page 1-41 if the child restraint has one. Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See Manual Seats on page 1-2. 2. Put the restraint on the seat. 1-49 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-50 6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. You may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. 1-51 Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has air bags – a frontal air bag for the driver and another frontal air bag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact air bag for the driver. If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver it will say AIR BAG on the air bag covering on the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating frontal air bag. But these air bags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems: {CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt, even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them. Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They aren’t designed to inﬂate at all in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in (Continued) CAUTION: 1-52 CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. The side impact air bag for the driver is designed to inﬂate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the driver’s side of your vehicle. It isn’t designed to inﬂate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly, whether or not there’s an air bag for that person. Both frontal and side impact air bags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inﬂating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inﬂation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle, and should not lean on the door. 1-53 {CAUTION: Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Older Children” or “Infants and Young Children.” There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Air Bag Readiness Light on page 3-32 for more information. 1-54 Where Are the Air Bags? The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. 1-55 {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. Don’t let seat covers block the inﬂation path of a side impact air bag. If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. 1-56 When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inﬂate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal air bags, which adjust the amount of restraint according to crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these air bags inﬂate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 24 mph (29 to 38.5 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with speciﬁc vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are not designed to inﬂate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inﬂation would not help the occupant. Your vehicle may or may not have a driver’s side impact air bag. See Air Bag Systems on page 1-52. A driver ’s side impact air bag is designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes involving the driver’s door. A side impact air bag will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. A driver’s side impact air bag is not designed to inﬂate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inﬂation would not help the occupant. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal air bags, inﬂation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact air bags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact. 1-57 What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both the frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inﬂator, which inﬂates the air bag. The inﬂator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules. Frontal air bag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with a driver’s side impact air bag, the air bag modules are located in the seatback closest to the driver’s door. How Does an Air Bag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. A side impact air bag would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward that air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for vehicles with a driver’s side impact air bag. 1-58 What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates? After the air bag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inﬂated. Some components of the air bag module will be hot for a short time. These components include the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal air bag and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal air bag. For vehicle’s with a driver’s side impact air bag, the side of the seatback closest to the driver’s door will be hot. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deﬂated air bags. Air bag inﬂation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. {CAUTION: When an air bag inﬂates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an air bag deployment, you should seek medical attention. Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air bags inﬂate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls. 1-59 Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service. If you damage the covering for the driver’s Notice: or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag covering on the driver’s seatback, the bag may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag module and seatback for the driver’s side impact air bag. Do not open or break the air bag coverings. In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger air bag. (cid:127) Air bags are designed to inﬂate only once. After an air bag inﬂates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. (cid:127) Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic frontal sensor, which helps the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inﬂation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine RPM, brake and throttle data. 1-60 (cid:127) Restraint System Check Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.) Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11. {CAUTION: For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inﬂate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inﬂates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualiﬁed to do so. The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance. 1-61 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash {CAUTION: A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible. If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts. If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time of the collision. If an air bag inﬂates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section. 1-62 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-2 Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-4 Doors and Locks .............................................2-8 Door Locks ....................................................2-8 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................2-9 Lockout Protection ........................................2-10 Leaving Your Vehicle ....................................2-10 Trunk ..........................................................2-10 Windows ........................................................2-13 Power Windows ............................................2-14 Sun Visors ...................................................2-15 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-16 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-16 Passlock® ....................................................2-17 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-18 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-18 Ignition Positions ..........................................2-18 Starting Your Engine .....................................2-19 Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation .......................2-23 Parking Brake ..............................................2-27 Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-27 Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-30 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-31 Engine Exhaust ............................................2-31 Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....2-32 Mirrors ...........................................................2-33 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-33 Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ..............2-33 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror ................2-34 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ............................................2-35 Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-36 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-36 OnStar® System .............................................2-37 HomeLink® Transmitter ...................................2-39 Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter .........2-39 Storage Areas ................................................2-43 Glove Box ...................................................2-43 Front Storage Area .......................................2-43 Center Console Storage Area .........................2-43 Rear Storage Area ........................................2-43 Convenience Net ..........................................2-43 Sunroof .........................................................2-44 Vehicle Personalization ...................................2-45 2-1 Keys {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. 2-2 One key is used for the ignition, the driver’s door and all other locks. If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, If you need a new key, contact your dealer for assistance. In an emergency, contact Chevrolet Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more information. Notice: you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar® system, with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside the vehicle, OnStar® may be able to send a command to unlock your vehicle. See OnStar® System on page 2-37 for more information. Remote Keyless Entry System The remote keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. 2-3 At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: (cid:127) Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. (cid:127) Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again. (cid:127) Check to determine if battery replacement or resynchronization is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” and “Resynchronization” under Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-4. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. Remote Keyless Entry System Operation Using the remote keyless entry transmitter, you can lock and unlock your doors or release your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away. LOCK: Press the LOCK button to lock all the doors. UNLOCK: Press the UNLOCK button once to unlock the driver’s door and turn on the interior lamps. See “Illumination on Remote Activation” later in this section for more details. Pause for about one second, then press UNLOCK again to unlock the passenger door. 2-4 (cid:127) L (Remote Alarm): Press this button to activate an alarm. The ignition must be in OFF or ACC for the remote alarm to work. When you press the remote button, the headlamps will ﬂash, the horn will sound repeatedly and your interior lamps will turn on attracting attention if you need it. The alarm will continue until one of the following occurs: The remote alarm button is pressed a second time, the vehicle’s ignition is turned to ON or an alarm period of 110 seconds has elapsed. V (Trunk Release): Press the button to release the trunk. Operating the remote keyless entry transmitter may interact with the content theft-deterrent system, if your vehicle has this option. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16. Transmitter Veriﬁcation This feature provides feedback that a command has been received by the vehicle, if your key fob has been programmed to Mode 3: Full, see Fob Horn (Remote Audible Veriﬁcation) under Vehicle Personalization on page 2-45 for more information. The headlamps and back-up lamps will ﬂash on every lock command and on the ﬁrst unlock command. The horn will also sound once for every lock and twice for the ﬁrst unlock command. Silent operation and other options may be selected for this feature. If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent system, the ﬁrst time the remote unlock is received and the alarm has been previously activated, three ﬂashes from the headlamps will be seen and three chirps will be heard to indicate an alarm condition has occurred since last arming. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16. 2-5 (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Illumination on Remote Activation The interior lamps will come on when either the UNLOCK, the trunk release or the remote alarm button is pressed. The interior lamps will remain on for 40 seconds or until the ignition is turned to ON or LOCK is pressed. Locking the doors with the power door locks will also cause the lamps to turn off. If a door is opened during the 40 second period, the interior lamps will remain on while the door is open. Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it. If you prefer, you can complete this procedure yourself. See Vehicle Personalization on page 2-45 for more information. 2-6 Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about three years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. To replace the battery do the following: 1. Insert a ﬂat object like a coin into the slot on the back of the transmitter. Gently pry apart the front and back. 2. Gently pry the battery out of the transmitter. Do not use a metal object. 3. Put the new battery into the transmitter as shown on the transmitter. Use type CR2032 battery or equivalent. 4. Put the two halves back together. Make sure the halves are together tightly so water won’t get in. 5. Resynchronize and then test the transmitter. Resynchronization After you have changed the battery in your transmitter, you will need to resynchronize the transmitter. To do this, press the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter at the same time and hold for about seven seconds or until one horn chirp is heard. 2-7 Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. (cid:127) Passengers — especially children — can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. (cid:127) Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it. (cid:127) Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening. 2-8 There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or remote keyless entry transmitter. From the inside, use the manual or power door locks. To unlock the driver’s side door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle. To lock the driver’s side door from the outside with your key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle. To lock the door from the inside, push the manual lock lever forward. To unlock the door, pull the lever rearward. Power Door Locks A power door lock switch is located on each front door above the armrest. Press the top of the switch to unlock all doors, or press the bottom part of the switch to lock all doors. The rear doors do not have power door lock switches. The manual lever on each rear door works only that door’s lock. If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent system and it is armed, the power door lock switches will be disabled. You must use your remote keyless entry transmitter or your key to unlock the doors when the system is armed. Programmable Automatic Door Locks Programmable automatic power door locks are a standard feature that is intended to provide enhanced security and convenience by automatically locking and unlocking doors. Programmable Modes Mode 1: No automatic door lock or unlock. Mode 2: Automatic all-door lock when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P); no automatic door unlock. Mode 3: Automatic all-door lock when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P); automatic unlock for the driver’s door only when the transaxle is shifted into PARK (P). Mode 4: Automatic all-door lock when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P); automatic all-door unlock when the transaxle is shifted into PARK (P). Your vehicle was originally programmed to Mode 4. The mode may have been changed since then. To determine the current mode, or to change the mode, see Vehicle Personalization on page 2-45. Disconnecting the battery for up to a year will not change the programmed mode of the programmable automatic power door locks. 2-9 Lockout Protection To protect you from locking your key in the vehicle, this feature stops the power door locks from locking while the key is in the ignition and a door is open. If a power lock switch is pressed while a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock. A chime will sound continuously until all doors are closed. Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and close the door. Trunk {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid: (cid:127) Make sure all other windows are shut. (cid:127) Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System in the Index. If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-31. 2-10 (cid:127) Trunk Lock To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key in the lock and turn it. You can also press the car symbol on your remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped. Remote Trunk Release You can also unlock the trunk from inside the vehicle. Trunk Assist Handle There is an assist handle located on the inside of the trunk lid toward the driver’s side of the vehicle. Press the button located below the exterior lamps control on the underside of the dashboard. The shift lever must be in PARK (P) for the remote trunk release button to work. Pull down on the handle to lower the trunk lid. Then close the trunk with your other hand. If the trunk is not properly closed, the TRUNK OPEN message will appear in the message center of your instrument panel cluster. See Trunk Ajar Warning Message on page 3-46 for more information. Notice: Using the trunk assist handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk may damage it. Use the trunk assist handle only to help you close the trunk lid. 2-11 Emergency Trunk Release Handle Notice: Using the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk may damage it. Use the emergency trunk release handle only to help you open the trunk lid. There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from the inside. 2-12 Windows {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather. 2-13 Power Windows If your vehicle has power windows, switches located on the driver’s door armrest control each of the windows. Express-Down Window The driver’s window switch has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch, and the driver’s window will open a small amount. If the rear of the switch is fully pressed, the window will go all the way down. To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the front of the switch. In addition, each passenger’s door has a window switch that controls that door’s window. To operate each window, press the switch forward to close the window and rearward to open it. 2-14 Window Lock Out The driver’s window controls also include a lock out switch. Press the window lock switch to the right to stop rear passengers from using their window switches. The driver can still control all the windows with the lock on. Press the switch to the left to return to normal window operation. Sun Visors To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You can also move them from side to side. The visors also have extenders that you can pull out for added coverage. Visor Vanity Mirrors Open the cover on the top of the sun visor to expose the vanity mirror. If your vehicle has the lighted vanity mirrors, the lamps come on when you open the cover. 2-15 Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle may have the optional content theft-deterrent alarm system. With this system, a light on the radio will ﬂash. This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent system. Here’s how to do it: 1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The light on the radio should come on and stay on. If you are using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the door does not need to be open. 3. Close all doors. The light on the radio will slowly ﬂash once the system is armed. Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to enter the vehicle (without using the remote keyless entry transmitter or a key) or turns the ignition on with an incorrect key. The horn will sound and the headlamps and back-up lamps will ﬂash for approximately two minutes. 2-16 When the alarm is armed, the trunk may be opened with the remote keyless entry transmitter. If you use the key to open the trunk, the alarm will sound. The power door lock switches are also disabled. You must use your remote keyless entry transmitter or your key to unlock the doors when the system is armed. Arming with the Power Lock Switch Your alarm system will arm when you use either power lock switch to lock the doors while any door or the trunk is open and the key is removed from the ignition. The light on the radio ﬂashes quickly to let you know when the system is ready to arm with the power door lock switches. The light on the radio will stop ﬂashing and stay on when you press the bottom of the power lock switch, to let you know the system is arming. After all doors and the trunk are closed and locked, the light on the radio will ﬂash slowly to let you know the system is armed. Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Your alarm system will arm when you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors, if the key is not in the ignition. The light on the radio will turn on to let you know the system is arming. After all doors and the trunk are closed and locked, the light on the radio will begin ﬂashing at a very slow rate to let you know the system is armed. Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Your alarm system will disarm when you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors. The light on the radio will go off to let you know the system is no longer armed. The ﬁrst time a remote UNLOCK command is received, three ﬂashes will be seen and three horn chirps heard to indicate an alarm condition has occurred since last arming. Disarming with Your Key Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key to unlock the doors. The light on the radio will go off to let you know the system is no longer armed. Passlock® Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock® theft-deterrent system. Passlock® is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock® enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled and the engine will not start. During normal operation, the SECURITY message will be displayed after the key is turned to the ON ignition position. See Security Message on page 3-47. If the engine stalls and the SECURITY message ﬂashes, wait until the light stops ﬂashing before trying to restart the engine. If the engine is running and the SECURITY message comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock® system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock® at this time. You may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-96. See your dealer for service. In an emergency, contact Chevrolet Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more information. 2-17 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: (cid:127) Do not drive at any one speed — fast or slow — for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. (cid:127) Avoid making hard stops for the ﬁrst 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings. (cid:127) Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 4-38 for more information. 2-18 Ignition Positions With the key in the ignition, you can turn the switch to four positions. The ignition switch is located on the instrument panel, to the right of the steering column. OFF: This position locks your steering column in a vehicle with a manual transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to OFF. Notice: If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can not turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service. ACC (ACCESSORY): This is the position in which you can operate your electrical accessories. With the key in this position, the ignition and automatic transaxle will unlock. ON: This is the position to which the switch returns after you start the engine and release the switch. The switch stays in ON while the engine is running. But even when the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel cluster messages and warning lights. START: This position starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to ON for normal driving. While the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio. A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door while the ignition is in OFF or ACC and the key is in the ignition. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), your power windows, audio system and sunroof (option) will continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to OFF and none of the doors is opened. Starting Your Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t start in any other position — that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Notice: Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 2-19 Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine warms up. Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If the engine doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you turn the key to START. Do this until the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key. 3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine still won’t start or starts brieﬂy but then stops again, repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on temperature. When the engine starts, release the key and the accelerator pedal. Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. 2-20 Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, hold your key in START for about 10 seconds at a time until your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each try. 3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts brieﬂy but then stops again, do the same thing. This time keep the pedal down for ﬁve or six seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine. After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure. Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. 2-21 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is attached to the underside of the diagonal brace, which is located above the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter assembly. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. {CAUTION: Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a ﬁre. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps. Engine Coolant Heater Your vehicle may be equipped with this feature. In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. 2-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation 4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged. How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area. Console Shift Lever Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the steering column or on the console between the seats. 2-23 PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily. {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the shift lever button if you have a console shift. Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P). See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-30. There is also a display, like the graphic above, located on the instrument panel cluster that will indicate the gear the vehicle is in. Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic transaxle vehicles while you’re in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline components from improper operation. There are several different positions for your shift lever. 2-24 REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. {CAUTION: Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is ﬁrmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed. Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing may damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not racing when shifting your vehicle. AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (X): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re: (cid:127) Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. (cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator pedal all the way down. You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power. Notice: Driving your vehicle if you notice that it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as you increase speed may damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then. 2-25 FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power, but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (X). Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (X): (cid:127) When driving on hilly, winding roads. (cid:127) When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. (cid:127) When going down a steep hill. (cid:127) When driving in non-highway scenarios (i.e. city streets, etc.). SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on. Notice: Driving in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2). 2-26 Parking Brake The parking brake is located to the left of the brake pedal, near the driver’s door. To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal with your left foot. To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and push the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the released position. A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set, the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P). Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving. If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. That section shows what to do ﬁrst to keep the trailer from moving. Shifting Into Park (P) {CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. 2-27 Steering Column Shift Lever 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this: (cid:127) Pull the lever toward you. 2-28 (cid:127) Move the lever up as far as it will go. 3. Turn the ignition key to OFF. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). Console Shift Lever 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this: (cid:127) Hold in the button on the shift lever. (cid:127) Push the lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle. 3. Turn the ignition key to OFF. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch ﬁre. You or others could be injured. Do not leave your vehicle with the engine running. If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking brake is ﬁrmly set before you leave it. After you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ﬁrst pulling it toward you or if you have the console shift lever, without ﬁrst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P). 2-29 Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may ﬁnd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To ﬁnd out how, see Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). Shifting Out of Park (P) Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON. See Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-23. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the shift lever button if you have a console shift. Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button if you have a console shift. If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of PARK (P), try this: 1. Turn the ignition key to ACC. 2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the end of Step 4. 3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N). 4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want. 5. Have the vehicle ﬁxed as soon as you can. 2-30 Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust {CAUTION: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. You might have exhaust coming in if: (cid:127) Your exhaust system sounds strange or different. (cid:127) Your vehicle gets rusty underneath. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged in a collision. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris. (cid:127) Repairs were not done correctly. (cid:127) Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modiﬁed improperly. If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle: (cid:127) Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any CO; and (cid:127) Have your vehicle ﬁxed immediately. 2-31 {CAUTION: Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that can burn. {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27. If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer, also see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. Running Your Engine While You Are Parked It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. {CAUTION: Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under Engine Exhaust on page 2-31. Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if the climate control fan is at the highest setting. One place this can happen is a garage. Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in a garage with the engine running. Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See Winter Driving on page 4-25. 2-32 Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, pull the lever at the bottom of the mirror toward you (to the night position). To return the mirror back to the day position, push the lever away from you. There are two lamps located on the bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off. Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever located at the bottom of the mirror between the two lamps. It is used to change the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind you while driving at night, pull the lever toward you. To return the mirror to the day position, return the lever to its original position. There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off. There are also three OnStar® buttons located at the bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more information on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See OnStar® System on page 2-37 for more information about the services OnStar® provides. 2-33 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror There are two lamps located on the bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off. One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the automatic dimming feature off, press the center button again. To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner. Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button below the mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will darken gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind you. This may take a few moments. The mirror will lighten whenever you shift to REVERSE (R). 2-34 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar® Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic dimming rearview mirror with the OnStar® System. Press the button located below the mirror, on the far left, for up to three seconds to turn the automatic dimming feature off and on. While turned on, this mirror functions exactly like the automatic dimming mirror described previously. There are two lamps located on the bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off. There are also three OnStar® buttons located at the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more information on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See OnStar® System on page 2-37 for more information about the service OnStar® provides. 2-35 Heated Outside Mirrors If your vehicle has this feature, the surface of the outside mirrors will heat when the rear window defogger is activated. Outside Convex Mirror Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat. {CAUTION: A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles) look farther away than they really are. If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes. Outside Power Mirrors The outside power mirror controls are located near the driver’s side window, on the armrest. Use the selector switch located above the four-way control panel to choose either the left or right outside mirror. Then press any of the four arrows located on the control pad to move each mirror in the desired direction. Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your vehicle and the area beside and behind your vehicle. 2-36 OnStar® System OnStar® uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite technology, wireless communications, and call centers to provide you with a wide range of safety, security, information and convenience services. A complete OnStar® user’s guide and the terms and conditions of the OnStar® Subscription Service Agreement are included in your vehicle’s glove box literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com, contact OnStar® at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827), or press the blue OnStar® button to speak to an OnStar® advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required prior to delivery of OnStar® services and prepaid calling minutes are also required for OnStar® Personal Calling and OnStar® Virtual Advisor use. Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com. OnStar® Services One of the following plans is normally included for a speciﬁc duration with each vehicle equipped with OnStar®. You can upgrade or extend your OnStar® service plan to meet your needs. Safe and Sound Plan (cid:127) Automatic Notiﬁcation of Air Bag Deployment (cid:127) Emergency Services (cid:127) Roadside Assistance (cid:127) Stolen Vehicle Assistance (cid:127) AccidentAssist (cid:127) Remote Door Unlock (cid:127) Remote Diagnostics (cid:127) Online Concierge Directions and Connections Plan (cid:127) All Safe and Sound Plan services (cid:127) Route Support (cid:127) RideAssist Information and Convenience Services 2-37 (cid:127) OnStar® Virtual Advisor With OnStar® Virtual Advisor you can listen to the news, entertainment and informative topics, such as traffic and weather reports. You are able to listen and reply to your e-mail through your vehicle’s speakers. Luxury and Leisure Plan (cid:127) All Directions and Connections Plan services (cid:127) Personal Concierge OnStar® Personal Calling With OnStar® Personal Calling, you have a safer way to stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless phone that’s integrated into your vehicle. You can place calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no contracts and no additional roaming charges. To ﬁnd out more about OnStar® Personal Calling, refer to the OnStar® user’s guide in your vehicle’s glove box, or call OnStar® at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827). 2-38 HomeLink® Transmitter HomeLink®, a combined universal transmitter and receiver, provides a way to replace up to three hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as gate operators, garage door openers, entry door locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional HomeLink® information can be found on the internet at www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515. If your vehicle is equipped with the HomeLink® Transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes and modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter Do not use the HomeLink® Transmitter with any garage door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”

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2004 Chevrolet Impala Owners Manual