2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA tow

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the
steering column or on the console between the seats.
There is also a display, like the graphic above, located
on the instrument panel cluster that will indicate the
gear the vehicle is in.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic transaxle
vehicles while you are in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
to protect driveline components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-37.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake
pedal pushed down. Release the shift lever button if you
have a console shift. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P). SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-25.
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REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-29.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and
you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that it
is moving slowly or not shifting gears as you
increase speed may damage the transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can
drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
for higher speeds until then.
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THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
When going down a steep hill
When driving in non-highway scenarios (i.e. city
streets, etc.)
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is in FIRST (1), the transaxle will not shift into
rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal
with your left foot.
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To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot,
the parking brake pedal will follow it to the released
position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-37. That section shows what
to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-23. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-23

Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position,
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pulling it toward you or if you have the console shift
lever, without rst pushing the button. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
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Running the Engine While 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 2-26.
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.
SeeWinter 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 2-23.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
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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 the vehicle has this mirror, it has a lever located at
the bottom of the mirror between the two lamps.
The lever is used to change the mirror from the day to
the 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 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 2-30for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button on the
bottom of 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.
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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
®
The vehicle may have 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.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror. See your dealer for more information on
the system and how to subscribe to OnStar
®. See
OnStar®System on page 2-30for more information
about the service OnStar®provides.
Outside Power Mirrors
The outside power mirror
controls are located near
the driver’s side window,
on the armrest.
Use the selector switch located above the four-way
control panel to choose either the left or right outside
mirror. Then press any of the four arrows located on the
control pad to move each mirror in the desired
direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area beside and behind your vehicle.
The mirrors can be manually folded toward the vehicle
when going through car washes or conned spaces.
2-29