2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA traction control

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine)
on page 4-8. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle.
If that does not get you out after a few tries, you
may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed
out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-30.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
4-30

{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same size and type tires on
all wheels. It’s all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, it was developed
for use on your vehicle. SeeCompact Spare
Tire on page 5-93.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
5-77

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-78

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P235/55R17 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P235/55R17 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE
Class″S″type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-80

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-34
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-33
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-39
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-39
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-27
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-29
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-38
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-6
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-33
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-72
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-27
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-51
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-23
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-24
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-29
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Brake System Warning.................................3-33
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-31
TCS Warning Light......................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-35
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
8

Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Safety Chains.................................................4-40
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Six-Way Power Seats.................................... 1-3
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-46
Rear Seat Position......................................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-49
Security While You Travel.................................. 7-6
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-37
Message....................................................3-49
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Traction System Warning Message.................3-43
Vehicle Soon Message.................................3-51Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Manuals.............................................7-12
Setting Preset Stations....................3-59, 3-70, 3-81
Setting the Time.............................................3-56
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-59, 3-70, 3-81
SETTINGS (Display Current Settings)................2-45
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-99
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-14
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-95
Specications, Capacities...............................5-110
Speedometer..................................................3-30
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-6
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine...........................2-18
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine..............2-19
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-18
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering Column Shift Lever.............................2-27
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-11
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-93
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-42
Convenience Net.........................................2-42
13

Storage Areas (cont.)
Front Storage Area......................................2-42
Glove Box..................................................2-42
Rear Storage Area.......................................2-42
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-91
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-92
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-29
Sun Visors.....................................................2-14
Sunroof.........................................................2-43
T
Tachometer....................................................3-31
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Sidemarker
Lamps....................................................5-61
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-35
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-92
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-15
Passlock
®...................................................2-16
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire
Low Message.............................................3-48
Tire Ination Check........................................... 6-9
TIRE MON (Tire Ination Monitor Reset)............2-45
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-64
Tire Size.......................................................5-68Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-69
Tires.............................................................5-64
Buying New Tires........................................5-76
Chains.......................................................5-80
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-82
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-93
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-81
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-72
Inspection and Rotation................................5-75
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-77
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-79
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-79
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-76
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Torque Lock...................................................2-29
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-40
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-30
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-37
Your Vehicle...............................................4-30
Traction
Active Message...........................................3-44
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-35
Service Traction System Warning Message.....3-43
14