2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA engine oil

6-16
As shown in the following chart, if you have the
3800 V6 engine, SAE 10W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going to be
colder than 60
F (16
C) before your next oil change.
When it's very cold, you should use SAE 5W
-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils, such
as SAE 20W
-50.
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine

6-17
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life System will
indicate that a change is necessary. The mileage between
oil and filter changes will vary depending on how you
drive your vehicle
-- usually between 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your
last oil and filter change. Under severe conditions, the
system may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first)
without an oil change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner. Remember to
reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message whenever
the oil is changed.

6-18
How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Message
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message use one
of the following procedures:
Using the RDS Radio (If Equipped)
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the DISP button on the radio for at
least five seconds until SETTINGS is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK up or down arrow to scroll through
the main menu.
4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the PREV or NEXT button to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
6. Press the DISP button to reset. A chime will be heard
to verify the new setting and DONE will be
displayed for one second.
7. Once the message has been reset, scroll until EXIT
appears on the display.
8. Press the DISP button to exit programming.
A chime will be heard to verify the exit.Using the Accelerator Pedal
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within five seconds. If the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message flashes, the system is reset. However,
if it stays on, it did not reset. You'll need to repeat
the reset procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil.
See the manufacturer's warnings about the use and
disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of
oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If you have a problem properly disposing of your used
oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

6-21
To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Reposition the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger's side of the vehicle (peel back halfway
to center).
5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-25
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever
occurs first. Damage caused by the use of coolant
other than DEX
-COOL is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL coolant.

6-32
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

6-66
Underhood Fuse Block (Lower)
Some fuses are in a fuse block on the passenger's side of
the engine compartment. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information on location.
Circuit Relay Description
FAN CONT #3 Secondary Cooling Fan
(Passenger's Side)
FAN CONT #2 Cooling Fan Control Relay
FAN CONT #1 Primary Cooling Fan
(Driver's Side)Circuit Relay Description
IGN RELAY Ignition Relay
A/C CMPR HVAC Compressor
Maxi Fuses Description
IGN SW Ignition Switch
RT I/P #3 Rear Defogger, Audio System
U/HOOD #2 Ignition Relay, AIR Pump
COOLING
FANSCooling Fans (Battery)
Mini Fuses Description
FAN
CONT #2 & #3Cooling Fan Control
Relays #2 & #3
FAN CONT #1 Cooling Fan Control Relays #1
AIR PMP RLY Air Induction Reaction Pump
Relay (Battery)
FUEL INJ Fuel Injectors
TRANS SOL Transmission Solenoids
A/C RLY
(COIL)HVAC Control Relay
ENG DEVICES Canister Purge Solenoid, Mass Air
Flow Sensor (MAF), AIR Pump
Relay & Valve Control
DFI MDL Direct Fire Ignition Module
OXY SEN Oxygen Sensors
(Pre and Post Converter)

6-67
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back
-Up 921. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Parking/Turn Signal 3357NAK or . . . . . . . .
3457NAK
Headlamp, High
-Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp, Low
-Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamp 893. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Sidemarker 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps Bulb Number
Rear Courtesy Lamp 912. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . .
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . .
When draining/replacing converter, more fluid will be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3400 (Code E) V6 11.3 quarts (10.7 L). . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (Code K) V6 11.7 quarts (11.0 L). . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerant, Air ConditioningSee refrigerant . . . . .
charge label under the hood.
Engine Crankcase
- Oil and Filter Change
3400 (Code E) V6 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (Code K) V6 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank17 U.S. gallons (64 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Index.
Engine Specifications
3400 (LA1) V6 Engine
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIN Code E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 204 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compression Ratio 9.5:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 180 @ 5200 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .