2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA Owners Manual

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.
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Power Windows
If your vehicle has power windows, switches located on
the driver's door armrest control each of the windows.
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.
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.
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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.
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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 ¯ash.
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
¯ash 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 anincorrect key. The horn will sound and the headlamps
and back-up lamps will ¯ash for approximately
two minutes.
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 ¯ashes 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
¯ashing 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 ¯ash slowly to let you
know the system is armed.
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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 ¯ashing 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 ®rst time a remote UNLOCK command is received,
three ¯ashes 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.
Passlockž
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlockž
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
žis a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlockž
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 3-46.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY message
¯ashes, wait until the light stops ¯ashing 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
ž
system is not working properly and must be serviced by
your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlockž
at this time. You may also want to check the fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-95. See your
dealer for service.
In an emergency, contact Chevrolet Roadside
Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 7-5for more information.
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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
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 Ð fast or slow Ð
for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't make
full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 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 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.
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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 Ð that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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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 ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor 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 brie¯y 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 don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
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