2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA climate control

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-6
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
®System
......................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-38
Storage Areas
.........................................2-42
Sunroof
..................................................2-43
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-26
Message Center
.......................................3-43
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-52Trip Computer
.........................................3-55
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-56
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-30
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-58
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-63
Tires
......................................................5-64
Appearance Care
.....................................5-94
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-102
Electrical System
....................................5-103
Capacities and Specications
...................5-110
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index.................................................................1
2004 Chevrolet Impala Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage your
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in
different words.
There are also warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
If you need help guring out a specic name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can not see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-31.
Trunk Lock
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key
in the lock and turn it. You can also press the car symbol
on your remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.
Remote Trunk Release
You can also unlock the trunk from inside the vehicle.
Press the button located
below the exterior lamps
control on the underside of
the dashboard. The shift
lever must be in PARK (P)
for the remote trunk
release button to work.
2-11

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-25.
{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. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. 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, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-32

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-31
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Message Center.............................................3-43
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-43
Traction Active Message................................3-44
Battery Warning Message..............................3-45
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-45
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-46
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-47
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-47
Low Tire Message........................................3-48
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-48
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-49
Security Message.........................................3-49
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-50
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-50
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-51
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-51
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are
listed here:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103.
B. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped). See
Traction Control System (TCS) (3800 V6 Engine) on
page 4-8.
C. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option). SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-93.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-56.
G. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.I. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Rlease” underTrunk on page 2-11.
J. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-7.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
L. Steering Wheel Cruise Control (If Equipped).
SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
M. Ignition Switch. See “Ignition Positions” underNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 2-17.
N. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
“Console Shift Lever” underShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-27.
O. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control System
on page 3-20.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-42.
3-5

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and a cigarette
lighter. It is located on the instrument panel. To remove
the ashtray, open it, push down on the locking tab
and pull out the ashtray.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog and ventilation for your vehicle.
3-20

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield. Use the defog
mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob clockwise to select the defog or
defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air equally to the
windshield and the oor outlets. When you select this
mode, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is below 40°F (4°C). The recirculation mode cannot
be selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
0(Defrost):This mode directs half of the air to the
windshield and side window vents and half to the oor
vents. In this mode, the system will automatically force
outside air into your vehicle. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the defog mode. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in this
setting, unless the outside temperature is below
40°F (4°C).
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<:The rear window defogger will turn off
approximately 20 minutes after the button is pressed.
If turned on again, the defogger will run for the
same amount of time. The defogger can also be turned
off by pressing the button again or by turning off the
engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
3-23