2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA radiator cap

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-31
Engine Overheating.......................................5-32Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-34
Cooling System............................................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-43
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-44
Brakes........................................................5-45
Battery........................................................5-48
Jump Starting...............................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-54
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-57
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-60
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-61
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-66
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-49.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 5-34.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.I. Engine Coolant Air Bleed Valves (underneath engine
shield). See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-34.
J. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-45.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-49.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 5-34.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
H. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-43.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Engine Coolant Air Bleed Valves (underneath engine
shield). See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-34.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-45.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
E. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeBattery on
page 5-48.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 5-34.
G. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (below generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-43.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-45.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-17

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty,
add coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-32.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-34.
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 of the
vehicle, near the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
5-31

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.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Pressure Cap3400 V6 Engine
5-34

A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant recovery tank is located in the rear of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12. 3800 V6 Engine shown, 3800 V6 Supercharged
Engine similar
5-35

To check the coolant level, look for the COLD mark on
the side of the coolant recovery tank that faces the
engine. When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at or above the COLD mark on the coolant
recovery tank. If it is not, you may have a leak at
the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine re, and you could
be burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-34for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
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.
5-36