2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA check engine light

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back
up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,you will nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-22

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-28

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−), or you
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
5-51

(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all
hinges and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, console door,
and any folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.
(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-29 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper supercharger
oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs
rst). See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
(m)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(n)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
6-8

Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-47
Top Strap...................................................1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-91
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94Cleaning (cont.)
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-89
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-25
Dual..........................................................3-21
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-26
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-37
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-34
Heater, Engine............................................2-19
Hot Temperature Warning Message................3-42
Cooling System..............................................5-34
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control................................................3-11
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-99
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-103
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-99
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-48
Change Oil Message...................................3-44
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-34
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-26
Low Oil Level Message................................3-43
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Life System...........................................5-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-34
Overheating................................................5-32
Starting......................................................2-17
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-77
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-86
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-43
Windshield Washer......................................5-44
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Front Storage Area.........................................2-36
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-39
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Message.................................3-47
5

Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-103
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-34
Fuel..........................................................3-39
Speedometer..............................................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-32
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-36
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-54Headlamp Wiring............................................5-99
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-54
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-16
Delayed.....................................................3-15
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-55
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-21
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-38
Highbeam Out Warning Message......................3-48
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-23
HomeLink
®Wireless Control System.................2-32
HomeLink®Wireless Control System
Operation...................................................2-32
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message........3-42
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
6

Locks
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message....................3-47
Low Engine Oil Level Message.........................3-43
Low Fuel Warning Message.............................3-47
Low Oil Pressure Message...............................3-42
Low Tire Message..........................................3-44
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message.................3-46
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-35
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Message
Battery Warning..........................................3-41
Center.......................................................3-40
Change Engine Oil......................................3-44
Door Ajar Warning.......................................3-45
Highbeam Out Warning................................3-48
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning..................3-42
Low Brake Fluid Warning..............................3-47
Low Engine Oil Level...................................3-43
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-47
Low Oil Pressure.........................................3-42
Low Tire .....................................................3-44
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-46
Security.....................................................3-46
Service Traction System Warning...................3-40
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-48
Traction Active............................................3-41
Trunk Ajar Warning......................................3-45
8