2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA check oil

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-50.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-51.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Upperhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-32.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-35.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator” under
Cooling System on page 5-35.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-47.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-50.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-51.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Upperhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-32.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-35
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-45.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator” under
Cooling System on page 5-35.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-47.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-15

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.3400 (Code E) V6 Engine
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine
5-18

When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and lter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained
service people who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Message
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset
the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message use
one of the following procedures:
Using the Radio
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the TUNE DISP knob on the
radio for at least ve seconds until SETTINGS
is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK PSCAN up or down arrow to scroll
through the main menu.
4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT buttons to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
5-22

Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically
qualied and have the
proper tools, you should let
your dealer or a qualied
service center perform
this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs rst.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check and Add Oil
Park the vehicle on a level surface. Check oil only when
the engine is cold. Allow the engine to cool two to
three hours after running.
{CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil ll plug
while the engine is hot, pressure may cause
hot oil to blow out of the oil ll hole. You may
be burned. Do not remove the plug until the
engine cools.
1. Clean the area around the oil ll plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil ll plug.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place.
Tighten to 88 lb-in (10Y).
5-24

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil change and
replace at the rst oil change after 25,000 miles
(40 000 km).
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains “caked” with dirt, a new lter
is required.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of air cleaner/lter.To check or replace the engine air cleaner/lter do the
following:
1. 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.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-13.
5-25

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.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
{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 backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you could be burned.
Do not 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 backre 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 are
driving.
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 90°F (32°C) 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).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-26

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
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 overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEXRON
®-III labeled automatic
transaxle uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check” earlier in this
section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-32.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-29