2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning

Battery Warning Message
When the vehicle is started
this message will be
displayed for three
seconds.
If the message is displayed when the engine is running,
you may have a problem with your charging system.
If there is a problem with the charging system, four
chimes will sound when the message comes on. The
battery display will also stay on while the key is in
ON until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or
some other charging system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving with this message on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories.
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling
system temperature gets hot. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-29,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-36andEngine
Overheating on page 5-32for further information.
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3-45

Low Tire Message
Your vehicle may be equipped with the tire pressure
system which monitors the ination pressure of the tires.
After the system has “learned” the tire pressure with
properly inated tires, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
message will be displayed and four warning chimes will
sound if the tire pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi
(83 kPa) lower than the other three tires.
When you have checked the tire pressures, be sure to
reset the tire ination monitor. See “Tire Pressure
Monitor System” underTires on page 5-64.
Door Ajar Warning Message
This message will appear if one of the doors is not
completely closed and the ignition is in ON.
If you are in a forward or reverse gear position you will
also hear four chimes. United States
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Trunk Ajar Warning Message
This message will appear if the trunk is not completely
closed and the ignition is in ON.
If you are in a forward or reverse gear position you will
also hear four chimes.
Security Message
This message is displayed to monitor the Passlock®
system.
If the security message is displayed continuously while
driving and stays on, there may be a problem with
the Passlock
®system. Your vehicle will not be protected
by Passlock®and you should see your dealer for
service. SeePasslock®on page 2-16for more
information. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
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Low Washer Fluid Warning Message
This message is displayed when the vehicle is low on
windshield washer uid.
The message is only displayed for 60 seconds at the
start of each ignition cycle. For more information
seeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you
that your washer uid is low. Be sure to rell the
washer uid tank right away.
Low Fuel Warning Message
This message is displayed when your vehicle is low
on fuel. Four chimes will also sound.
Refer to the fuel gage for a better indication of
the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
3-50

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
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3-51

Highbeam Out Warning Message
If this message appears, you may have a problem with
your high-beam headlamps.
The message will stay on about 60 seconds. When the
ignition is turned off, this message will be displayed
again for three seconds to remind you that you
may have a problem with your highbeam-headlamps.
Be sure to check your bulbs right away and replace
them if necessary.
SeeBulb Replacement on page 5-58.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, it will show
information about the vehicle and the surroundings. It is
located in the headliner between the sun visors. United States
Canada
Optional Sunroof Version Shown
3-52

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.
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This light will come on when your traction control
system is limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Active
Message on page 3-44.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control”
inTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
The traction control system operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift
the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position
you’ve chosen, so you should use the lower gears only
when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-22.When the system is on, this
warning light will come on
to let you know if there’s a
problem.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the traction control
system on. But you can turn the system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-29. United States
Canada
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