2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning light

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and it could
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

2-
2-1
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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Keyless Entry (If Equipped)
2
-13 Trunk
2
-18 Theft
2
-19 Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
2
-20 Vehicle Customization Settings
2
-30 Passlock

2-30 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-31 Ignition Positions
2
-32 Starting Your Engine
2
-34 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-36 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-40 Parking Brake
2
-41 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-44 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-45 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-45 Engine Exhaust
2
-46 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-47 Tilt Wheel
2
-47 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-54 Exterior Lamps
2
-57 Interior Lamps
2
-59 Mirrors
2
-66 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-68 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-69 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-73 Power Sunroof (Option)
2
-74 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-78 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-80 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-83 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-94 Message Center
2
-103 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)

2-31
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 is the only position from which you can
remove the key. Removing the key locks your ignition
and automatic transaxle.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
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 when 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.

2-55
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
OFF:Pushing the control all the way in turns off the
exterior lamps.
Parking Lamps:Pulling the control out halfway will
turn on the parking lamps together with the following:

Taillamps

LIcense Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps: Pulling the control all the way out turns on
the headlamps together with the previously listed lamps
and lights. See ªInterior Lampsº later in this section for
information on the instrument panel brightness control
and on the dome lamps. A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver's door when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system's automatic headlamp control will
make your high
-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is off and

the gearshift is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam
headlamps, at a reduced level of brightness, will be on.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel and cluster won't be
lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, your headlamps will go
off and your DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

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Tachometer (If Equipped)
The tachometer displays
the engine speed in
thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
3800 V6 Engine shown
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the shaded area, or engine damage may occur.
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.

2-84
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights and
gages. See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in
the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON, a chime will come
on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for
about 55 seconds.

2-86 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
The LOW BRAKE FLUID message in the message
center will also appear when there is a brake problem.
See ªLow Brake Fluid Messageº in the Index.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº and ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.

2-87
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.