2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA maintenance schedule

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-61
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-39
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-44
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-45
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-28
Message Center
.......................................3-40
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49Trip Computer
.........................................3-52
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-53
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-55
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-60
Tires
......................................................5-61
Appearance Care
.....................................5-85
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-93
Electrical System
......................................5-94
Capacities and Speci®cations
...................5-103
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-105
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
CustomerAssistance Information...................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2003 Chevrolet Impala Owner ManualM

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog and ventilation for your vehicle.
Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the air¯ow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode allows for approximately a
50/50 split of air to the instrument panel outlets and
to the ¯oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
¯oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically select Outside Air.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see ªDefogging and
Defrostingº later in this section.
It should be noted, that the air conditioning compressor
will be engaged unless the outside temperature is
40É F (4ÉC) or below. Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
If the air¯ow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air ®lter, if
equipped, may need to be replaced. For more
information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on
page 3-26andPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
on page 6-4.
3-22

Operation Tips
·Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ¯ow of air into your vehicle.
·Use of non-GM approved hood de¯ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
·Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside your vehicle more
effectively.
·If the air¯ow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air ®lter, if equipped, may need to replaced. For
more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 3-26andPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment particulate air ®lter. It is located
underneath the hood just below the windshield wiper
arm on the passenger's side of the vehicle, underneath
the air inlet grille.
The ®lter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
Climate Control System. Like your engine's air
cleaner/®lter, it may need to be changed periodically to
insure system performance. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air
®lter, see
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
3-26

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If you're trailering,
it's a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30.
4-40

SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of air cleaner/®lter.
1. To check or replace the engine air cleaner/®lter do
the following:
Loosen the two clips on the top of the engine air
cleaner/®lter housing and lift the ®lter cover tabs out
of the housing.
2. Push the ®lter cover housing toward the engine.
3. Pull out the ®lter.
4. Check or install a new engine air cleaner/®lter. See
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 5-105.5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs through the
slots on the housing. A notch on the sides of the
®lter cover will indicate the correct engagement.
Reinstall the two clips on the top of the housing
when you are ®nished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air ®lter.
See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/®lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ¯ame if the engine back®res. If it isn't
there and the engine back®res, you could be
burned. Don't drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the air cleaner/
®lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/®lter is off, a back®re can
cause a damaging engine ®re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/®lter in place when
you're driving.
5-23

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter 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 90ÉF (32ÉC) 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 ¯uid and ®lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little ¯uid can damage
your transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine or
exhaust system parts, starting a ®re. Too little ¯uid
could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
¯uid level if you have been driving:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·At high speed for quite a while.
·In heavy traffic ± especially in hot weather.
·While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the ¯uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180ÉF to 200ÉF
(82ÉC to 93ÉC).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50ÉF
(10ÉC). If it's colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), you may have to
drive longer.
5-24

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The ¯uid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the ¯uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle ¯uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.
If the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
¯uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough ¯uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).
Don't over®ll.
Notice:
We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
DEXRONž±III, because ¯uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by ¯uid other than DEXRON
ž±III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under ªHow to Checkº earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way. 3400 (Code E) V6
Engine
3800 (Code K) V6
Engine
5-26

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-66andWheel Replacement
on page 5-69for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The ®rst rotation
is the most important. See ªPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services,º in Section 6, for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.Don't include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in¯ation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label.
Reset the Tire In¯ation Monitor System. See
Tire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-63.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See ªWheel Nut Torqueº under
Capacities and
Speci®cations on page 5-103.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off. See ªChanging a Flat
Tireº in the Index.
5-65