2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA engine overheat

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If an overheat warning occurs without any sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Set the heater at the highest setting and the fan
at the highest speed and open the windows as
necessary.If the overheat warning no longer exists, the vehicle
can be driven. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not come back on,
the vehicle can be driven normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-30

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 coolant 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 5-17.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans3.5L V6 Engine shown, 3.9L V6 Engine similar
5-31

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at or above the cold ll line on the coolant recovery tank.
To check the coolant level, look for the cold ll line on
the side of the coolant recovery tank that faces the
engine. If the level is not correct, there may be 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, the fans should be running.
If the fans are not running, 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 5-31for 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 could
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.
5-33

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the cold ll line, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for more information.Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{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.
When the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank is at
the cold ll line, start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the system
is cool before you do it.
5-34

{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap — even a little — they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (V6 Engines)
Notice:Your engine has a specic radiator ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
1. You can remove the
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot.
Turn the cap slowly counterclockwise. If you hear
a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
5-35

9. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
10. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the cold ll
line when the engine is cold.
How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (5.3L V8 Engine)
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause your engine to overheat
and be severely damaged. If your engine’s cooling
system needs to be drained and re-lled, please
see your dealer.
1. You can remove the
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose
is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure
cap slowly
counterclockwise.If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means that there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
{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.
3. Fill the cooling system with the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller neck.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-26for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold ll line.
6. Install the coolant recovery tank cap and the
pressure cap.
7. If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low,
you should have a dealership service department
inspect the vehicle for leaks.
5-37

E
Eight-Way Power Seats..................................... 1-3
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-94
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-93
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-94
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-94
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-96
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-93
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-34
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-32
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-22Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-90
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-72
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-73
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-81
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-37
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
5

O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-36
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-17
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-35
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-90
Parade Dimming.............................................3-17Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Parking
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-19
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-17
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Eight-Way Seats........................................... 1-3
Electrical System.........................................5-94
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-38
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-28
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-31
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-11
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-16
9