2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA Owners Manual

Parade Dimming
The instrument panel has an added feature called
parade mode. This feature prohibits the dimming of your
instrument panel displays during the daylight while
the headlamps are on so that you will still be able to see
the displays.
Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may have reading lamps that are located
in the dome lamp. Press the button to turn them on
and off.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave on the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor
vanity lamps or trunk lamp. If you leave any of these
lamps on, they will automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off. The lamps won’t come
back on again until you do the following:
Turn the ignition on, or
turn the exterior lamps control off, then on again.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on
the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the
lamps after only three minutes.Battery rundown protection will also work if the
headlamps are left on. After having been left on for
10 minutes, the headlamps and the parking lamps will
ash three times. They will remain on for one more
minute before turning off automatically.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle has three 12-volt outlets which can be
used to plug in electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone, a compact disc player, etc.
On vehicles with a center console, one outlet is located
at the rear of the console in the bottom of the bin
and two outlets are located at the front of the console
bin under the instrument panel. Lift the cover to access
the outlet. Close the cover when not using the outlet.
On vehicles without a center console, two are located
under the climate controls and another outlet for the rear
seat passengers is at the rear of the center front seat.
Remove the rubber cover to access the outlets.
When not using the outlet, make sure the cover is on it.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
unplug electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
20 ampere rating.
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Certain accessory plugs may not be compatible to the
accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle
and adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see
your dealer for additional information on the power
accessory plugs.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. Check with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the maximum amperage rating of 20 amps.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and a cigarette lighter.
The ashtray and cigarette lighter may be located in the
console, if your vehicle has one, otherwise, they may be
located in the center armrest of the front seat.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, 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.
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Climate Controls
Climate Control System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a dual or single
climate control system. With this system you can control
the heating, cooling, defrost, defog and ventilation for
your vehicle.
Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode allows for approximately half
of the air to the instrument panel outlets and to the
oor outlets. Dual Zone with Optional Heated Seat Controls
Single Zone
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6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically select Outside Air.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging and
Defrosting” later in this section.
By positioning the right knob between two modes, a
combination of those two modes is selected.
It should be noted, that the air conditioning compressor
will be engaged unless the outside temperature is
40°F (4°C) or below. Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air lter, if
equipped, may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on
page 3-23andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
:(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on. When this mode is on, outside air
will circulate throughout your vehicle. When the
button is pressed, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that it is activated. The outside
air mode can be used with all modes, but it cannot
be used with the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on. When the button is pressed, an
indicator light will come on.
This mode keeps outside air from entering the vehicle.
It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from
entering your vehicle. Recirculation may also help heat
or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly once
the temperature inside the vehicle is equal to or better
than the outside temperature. The recirculation mode
cannot be used with outside air, oor, defrost, or
defogging modes.
Temperature Control:Rotate the thumbwheels up or
down to increase or decrease the temperature on
the driver’s side or the passenger side of the vehicle for
the dual zone system. Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature for the single zone system.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. When A/C is pressed,
an indicator light will come on to let you know that
the air conditioning has been activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
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For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the outside air.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the coolest temperature for both zones.
5. Select the highest fan speeds.
6. Once the vehicle’s interior temperature is below the
outside temperature, select recirculation mode for
enhanced cooling.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from happening, after the
air inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount
of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.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. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
-(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.
0(Defrost):This mode directs a portion of the air
to the windshield and side window vents and some
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).
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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 automatically
after it has been activated. The duration the rear window
defogger is on will be longer if the vehicle is being driven.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
button again or by turning off the engine.
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:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel located below or to the side of the
outlet, to change the direction of the air ow.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside your vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter, if equipped, may need to replaced. For
more information, seePassenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 3-23andScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
If fogging reoccurs while in vent or bi-level modes
with mild temperature throughout the vehicle, turn
on the air conditioner to reduce windshield fogging.
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Passenger Compartment Air Filter
This vehicle has a passenger compartment particulate
air lter. It is located underneath the hood just below the
windshield wiper arm on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle, underneath the air inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
Climate Control System. Like your engine’s air
cleaner/lter, it may need to be changed periodically to
ensure system performance. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air
lter, seeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
To change the passenger compartment air lter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the vehicle hood.
3. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle halfway to center.4. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
5. Lift the air inlet grille and disconnect the washer
hose at the quick-connect.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the water deector plate.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air lter.
9. Reverse the steps to install the new air lter.
For best climate control system performance, be sure to
re-install the air lter.
For the type of lter to use, seeNormal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-13.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help
you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly – and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-39.
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