2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning light

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would
for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-21.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-20

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-64.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of reective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-25

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

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side, near
the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a warning
message about a hot engine on your instrument
panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-36andHot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 3-45.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. Driving extended miles (km) and/or
towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-18.
5-32

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is lled with DOT-3
brake uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason isthat uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to “top off” your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-33.
5-47

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-49

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-46
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-103
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-60, 3-71, 3-82
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-32
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-51
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-60
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
ALARM (Content Theft Operation).....................2-49
AM ...............................................................3-94
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-96
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-97
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-35Appearance Care............................................5-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-100
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-94
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-97
Finish Damage..........................................5-100
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-100
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-101
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-15
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Ashtrays........................................................3-20
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-93
Backglass Antenna......................................3-96
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-94
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-96
Care of Your CDs........................................3-96
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-97
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-57
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-78
Radio with CD............................................3-68
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
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Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-92
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-94
Vehicle Customization Settings......................3-97
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-97
AUTOLOCK (Automatic Door Lock and Unlock) . . . 2-46
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-96
Backing Up....................................................4-41
Battery..........................................................5-50
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-18
Battery Warning Message................................3-45
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Low Fluid Warning Message.........................3-51
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-33
Brake Fluid....................................................5-47
Brake Wear...................................................5-49
Brakes..........................................................5-47
Braking........................................................... 4-6Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-58
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-58
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-59
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-62
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps...................................5-61
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications..........................5-110
Carbon Monoxide...................4-25, 4-37, 2-11, 2-31
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-94
Your CD Player...........................................3-96
Your CDs ...................................................3-96
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