2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA brakes

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake
pedal pushed down. Release the shift lever button if you
have a console shift. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P). SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-30.REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice
or sand without damaging your transaxle, seeIf You Are
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-29.
2-23

Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
When driving in non-highway scenarios (i.e. city
streets, etc.).
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift into
rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-25

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-22.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release
the shift lever button if you have a console shift.
Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure
to press the shift lever button if you have a console shift.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
2-30

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can not drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (option) begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine) on page 4-8.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
The cruise control ON/OFF switch is located at the end
of the multifunction lever.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Slide the cruise control ON lever, on the turn signal
lever, to the right to turn it on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3-11

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
If your vehicle is equipped
with anti-lock brakes, 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 briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This
is normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have the
traction control system. If it
does, this 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.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
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.
3-35

Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
This message will be displayed when your vehicle has a
brake problem. The brake system warning light will
also be illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes aren’t working
properly. You should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-33for more information.
Service Vehicle Soon Message
This message will come on if you have engine problems.
These problems may not be obvious and may not
affect vehicle performance or durability. Consult a
qualied dealership for necessary repairs to maintain
top vehicle performance. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
3-51

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a
serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive
after drinking. Please do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride
home in a cab; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. Also seeTraction Control
System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine) on page 4-8.
4-5

Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pacewith the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
4-6