2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA battery

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)............................................3-20
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-25
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-28
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Fuel Gage...................................................3-40
Message Center.............................................3-40
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-41
Traction Active Message................................3-41
Battery Warning Message..............................3-42
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-42
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-43
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-43
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-44
Low Tire Message........................................3-44
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-45
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-45
Security Message.........................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-46
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-47
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-47
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-48
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-48
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to work.
When the key is removed, interior illumination will
activate and remain on until one of the following occurs:
·The ignition is moved to ON,
·the power door locks are activated, or
·an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on because a door is open.
Parade Dimming
The instrument panel has an added feature called
parade mode. This feature prohibits the dimming of your
instrument panel displays during the daylight while
the headlamps are on so that you'll still be able to see
the displays.
Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may be equipped with reading lamps that
are located on the assist handles in the headliner.
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps come on
when any door is opened. Press the lens to turn
them on. Press it again to turn them off.
Dome Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, the dome lamp will
come on when you open a door. You can also turn this
lamp on by turning the exterior lamps control clockwise
as far as it will go. Vehicles that have the optional
sunroof do not have a dome lamp.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave on the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor
vanity lamps, trunk lamp or glove box lamps. If you leave
any of these lamps on, they will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes, if the ignition is moved to OFF.
The lamps won't come back on again until you do
the following:
·Turn the ignition on, or
·turn the exterior lamps control off, then on again.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on
the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
Battery rundown protection will also work if the
headlamps are left on. After having been left on for
10 minutes, the headlamps and the parking lamps will
¯ash three times. They will remain on for one more
minute before being turned off automatically.
3-18

Accessory Power Outlets
Your vehicle has a 12-volt
outlet which can be used
to plug in electrical
equipment such as a
cellular telephone,
a compact disc player, etc.
On vehicles with a center console, it is located at the
rear of the console. Lift the cover to access the
outlet. Close the cover when not using the outlet.
On vehicles without a center console, it is located in the
ashtray drawer to the right of the ashtray. Remove
the rubber cover to access the outlet. When not using
the outlet, make sure the cover is on it.
Notice:When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum electrical load must not exceed amperage
rating. Always turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your battery.
Certain accessory plugs may not be compatible to the
accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle
and adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see
your dealer for additional information on the power
accessory plugs.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn't be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. Check with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the amperage rating.
Notice:Power outlets are designed for accessory
plugs only. Do not hang any type of accessory
or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty. Console Version shown
3-19

If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to ®x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the Check
Engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system isdesigned to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
Cruise Control Light
Tthe CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control. See
ªCruise Controlº under
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
3-39

Battery Warning Message
When the vehicle is started
this message will be
displayed for three
seconds.
If the message is displayed when the engine is running,
you may have a problem with your charging system.
If there is a problem with the charging system, four
chimes will sound when the message comes on. The
battery display will also stay on while the key is in
ON until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or
some other charging system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving with this message on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories.
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling
system temperature gets hot. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-27,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-36andEngine
Overheating on page 5-30for further information.
United StatesCanada
3-42

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can't see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
4-29

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-30
Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-43
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-44
Brakes........................................................5-45Battery........................................................5-48
Jump Starting...............................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-55
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-56
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-56
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking
Lamps.....................................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-58
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-59
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Tires..............................................................5-61
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-63
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Buying New Tires.........................................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-68
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-69
Wheel Replacement......................................5-69
Tire Chains..................................................5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-71
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-72
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-84
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-44.
B. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-49.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUpperhood
Fuse Block (Upper)º under
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-95.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood
Fuse Block (Lower)º under
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-95.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. See
Radiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-30.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See
Cooling System
on page 5-33.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.I. Electric Cooling Fan. See
Cooling System on
page 5-33.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See ªChecking Engine Oilº
under
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See ªChecking Engine Oilº
under
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield). See ªHow
to Add Coolant to the Radiatorº under
Cooling
System on page 5-33.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-24.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
Brakes on
page 5-45.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
5-13