2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA instrument panel

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The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...or the instrument panel ...

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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 ªAir Bag Readiness Lightº in the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag Systems Work
Where are the air bags?
The driver's frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.

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The right front passenger's frontal air bag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger's side.The driver's side impact air bag is in the side of the
driver's seatback closest to the door.

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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
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 inside the steering
wheel, instrument panel and the side of the driver's
seatback closest to the 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 side impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
the air bag. The 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 the occupant's motion is not toward that air bag.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything morethan 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 the
driver's side impact air bag.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an 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
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag, the
side of the seatback closest to the door for the driver's
side impact air bag
-- will be hot for a short time. 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.

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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.
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.

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.
Your vehicle is 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. Some modules also
record speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

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.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's 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.

2-
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
2
-10 Trunk
2
-11 Theft
2
-12 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-14 Vehicle Customization Settings
2
-19 Passlock

2-20 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Switch
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-24 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-25 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-34 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-34 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-35 Engine Exhaust
2
-35 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-36 Windows
2
-37 Tilt Wheel Adjustable Steering Column
2
-38 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-44 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-52 Accessory Power Receptacle
2
-52 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-53 Cellular Phone Readiness Package (If Equipped)
2
-53 OnStar
System (Option)
2
-54 Power Sunroof (Option)
2
-55 Universal Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-59 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-62 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-71 Message Center
2
-77 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)

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2-10 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 together and hold for approximately
seven seconds or until three brief horn chirps are heard.
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't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting on
VENT. That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

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New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't 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.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is
located on the instrument
panel, to the right of the
steering column. With the
key in the ignition switch,
you can turn the switch to
four positions.
OFF:The only position from which you can remove the
key. Removing the key locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle.