
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

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Trunk..........................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-13
Power Windows............................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-16
Passlock
ž....................................................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-18
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-18
Ignition Positions..........................................2-18
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-19
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-22
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-23
Parking Brake..............................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-27Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž..............2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž...................................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
OnStar
žSystem.............................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter...................................2-39
Programming the HomeLinkžTransmitter.........2-39
Storage Areas................................................2-43
Glove Box...................................................2-43
Front Storage Area.......................................2-43
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-43
Rear Storage Area........................................2-43
Convenience Net..........................................2-43
Sunroof.........................................................2-44
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-45
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, pull the
lever at the bottom of the mirror toward you (to the night
position). To return the mirror back to the day position,
push the lever away from you.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror between the two
lamps. It is used to change the mirror from day to night
position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind
you while driving at night, pull the lever toward you. To
return the mirror to the day position, return the lever
to its original position.There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.
There are also three OnStar
žbuttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
ž. SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-37for
more information about the services OnStaržprovides.
2-33

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button below
the mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will
darken gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind
you. This may take a few moments. The mirror will
lighten whenever you shift to REVERSE (R).There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the
automatic dimming feature off, press the center
button again.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
2-34

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror with the OnStaržSystem.
Press the button located below the mirror, on the far left,
for up to three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature off and on. While turned on, this mirror functions
exactly like the automatic dimming mirror described
previously.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.There are also three OnStar
žbuttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
ž. SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-37for more
information about the service OnStaržprovides.
2-35

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
turned on again, the defogger will run for the same
amount of time. The defogger can also be turned off by
pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.
Notice:Don't use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn't be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knob located
below or to the side of the
outlet, to change the
direction of the air ¯ow.
3-25

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired Ð by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
·Drive defensively.
·Don't drink and drive.
·Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
·Since you can't see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
·Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
·In remote areas, watch for animals.
·If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night.
4-16

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway
hypnosisº? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
·Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
·Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
·If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
4-23