2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA engine oil

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

A. Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
{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.
If your vehicle has one of the V6 engines, the coolant
recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine, the coolant
recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12. 5.3L V8 Engine
5-32

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

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in the
brake system can damage brake system parts
so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind
of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-87.
5-41

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
3.5L V6 Engine, 3.5L V6 Flexible Fuel and 3.9L V6 Engine 1.35 lb .61 kg
5.3L V8 Engine 1.21 lb .55 kg
Automatic Transaxle 7.6 qt 7.2 L
When draining/replacing converter, more uid may be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.5L V6 Engine 12.2 qt 11.6 L
3.5L Flexible Fuel V6 Engine 12.2 qt 11.6 L
3.9L V6 Engine 12.2 qt 11.6 L
5.3L V8 Engine 12.8 qt 12.1 L
Engine Oil with Filter
3.5L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
3.5L Flexible Fuel V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
3.9L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
5.3L V8 Engine 6.0 qt 5.7 L
5-99

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands, or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
6-2

Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However, your
engine oil and lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset.
Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer has GM-trained service
technicians who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-20for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
appears, certain services, checks, and inspections are
required. Required services are described in the
following for “MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.”
Generally, it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII,
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on
within 10 months since the vehicle was purchased or
MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on 10 months or more since
the last service or if the message has not come on at
all for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.See footnote (m).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-64and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transaxle uid level and add uid as needed.•
Replace passenger compartment air lter, if equipped.See footnote (g).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
6-5