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 Identi cation
...............................5-102
Electrical System
....................................5-103
Capacities and Speci cations
...................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
Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Trunk..........................................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-13
Power Windows............................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-15
Passlock
®....................................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-17
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-17
Ignition Positions..........................................2-17
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-18
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-20
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-22
Parking Brake..............................................2-26
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-27Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-30
Engine Exhaust............................................2-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®............................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-35
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
OnStar
®System.............................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter...................................2-38
Programming the HomeLink®Transmitter.........2-38
Storage Areas................................................2-42
Glove Box...................................................2-42
Front Storage Area.......................................2-42
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-42
Rear Storage Area........................................2-42
Convenience Net..........................................2-42
Sunroof.........................................................2-43
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, pull the
lever at the bottom of the mirror toward you (to the night
position). To return the mirror back to the day position,
push the lever away from you.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror between the two
lamps. It is used to change the mirror from day to night
position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind
you while driving at night, pull the lever toward you.
To return the mirror to the day position, return the lever
to its original position.There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-36for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button below
the mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will
darken gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind
you. This may take a few moments. The mirror will
lighten whenever you shift to REVERSE (R).There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the
automatic dimming feature off, press the center
button again.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror with the OnStar®System.
Press the button located below the mirror, on the far left,
for up to three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature off and on. While turned on, this mirror functions
exactly like the automatic dimming mirror described
previously.
2-34
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
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can not see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
4-16
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-23
Message (cont.)
Service Traction System Warning...................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-51
Traction Active............................................3-44
Trunk Ajar Warning......................................3-49
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-30
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12Oil
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Message.......................................3-46
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-24
OIL LIFE (GM Oil Life System Reset)................2-45
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-37
OnStar®Services............................................2-37
OnStar®System.............................................2-36
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-37
Operation Tips................................................3-24
ORIG. SET (Return to the Original Settings).......2-51
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-24
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-36
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-32
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-13
10