2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA instrument panel

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The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
B. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped)
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
F. Audio System
G. Air Vent
H. Exterior Lamps ControlI. Remote Trunk Release Button
J. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
K. Hood Release
L. Steering Wheel Cruise Control (If Equipped)
M. Ignition Switch
N. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped)
O. Climate Controls
P. Glove Box

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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know
how fast you're going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely
and economically.
3400 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version shown, Canada similar

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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag sensors, the air
bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
The anti-lock brake system
warning light should come
on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition key
to ON.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you've started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you're driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you're driving, the anti
-lock brake system needs
service and you don't have anti
-lock brakes.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
The traction control system
warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC OFF
button located on the instrument panel, a chime will
sound and the warning light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on, press the button again.
The warning light should go off. See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index for more information.

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

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Here are four situations you may experience with
your fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with
the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.

The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.

The gage pointer moves while cornering, braking
or acceleration.
Message Center
The message center is located below the temperature
gage or the tachometer gage (if equipped) on the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts.
Modes
Service Traction System (If Equipped)
United States Canada
If this message appears when you are driving, there is a
problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle is in need of service.
When this message is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. The message will stay on for 60
seconds and then go out. Four chimes will also be heard.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you that
your traction control system is not working properly. Be
sure to have your vehicle serviced right away.

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Comfort Controls
Dual ComforTemp
Climate Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best
if you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
regulates the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the
knob to OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº and
ªPassenger Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on
the driver's side independent of the temperature set
by the passenger. Slide the lever upward to raise the
temperature. Slide the lever downward to lower
the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on
the passenger's side independent of the temperature
set by the driver. Slide the lever upward to raise the
temperature. Slide the lever downward to lower
the temperature.
Mode Knob
The knob on the right side of the control panel has
several settings to control the direction of airflow:
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
(Bi-level): This setting directs air two ways.
Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through
the floor vents and a small amount to the windshield
defroster and side window outlets.

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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brake System (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briefly when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your anti
-lock brake system will check
itself. You may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a little.
This is normal.
If there's a problem with the anti
-lock brake system,
the anti
-lock brake system warning light will stay on.
See ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in
the Index.

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To turn the system
on or off, press the
TRAC OFF button
on the left side of the
instrument panel.
When you turn the system off, a chime will sound and
the Traction Control System warning light will come on
and stay on. If the Traction Control System is limiting
wheel spin when you press the button to turn the system
off, the warning light will come on and the system will
turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The Traction Control System warning
light should go off.Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.