2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning

ENGINE HOT A/C (Air
Conditioning) OFF
This message will display when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal,
the A/C operation will automatically resume. You can
continue to drive your vehicle. If this message continues
to appear, have the system repaired by your GM dealer
as soon as possible to avoid compressor damage.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine
oil is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the engine oil ll location. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 5-17for information on the kind of
oil to use and the proper oil level.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29for more information.This message will display when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29for more information.
This message will display along with a continuous
chime when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn
the engine off immediately to avoid severe engine
damage. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your GM dealer for service as soon as possible.
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ERROR
This message will display when viewing the odometer or
trip odometers if there is a problem with the instrument
panel cluster. See your GM dealer for service.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message will display when your vehicle is low on
fuel. You should rell the fuel tank as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 3-38andFilling the Tank on
page 5-8for more information.
HOOD OPEN
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this
message will display when the hood is not closed
properly. When this message appears, you should make
sure that the hood is closed completely. SeeHood
Release on page 5-11.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message will display when the outside air
temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the driver’s side rear
door is not closed properly. When this message
appears, you should make sure that the driver’s side
rear door is closed completely.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17for more information.
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light will also appear
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-36.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have
the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible when this message is displayed.
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SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message will display when service is required on
the brake system. Have the brake system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. The brake
system warning light will also appear on the instrument
panel cluster when this message appears on the
DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-30.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message will display when a problem is detected
with the power steering system. When this message
is displayed, you may notice that the effort required to
steer the vehicle increases or feels heavier, but you will
still be able to steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer immediately.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
This message will display when there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system programmed in the key.
A fault has been detected in the system which means
that the system is disabled and it is not protecting
the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however,
you may want to take the vehicle to your GM dealer
before turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+
Operation on page 2-19for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display if a part on the system
is not working properly. If you drive your vehicle while
any of the four sensors are missing or inoperable,
the warning will come on in about 10 minutes. A sensor
would be missing, for example, if you put different
wheels on your vehicle without transferring the sensors.
If the warning comes on and stays on, there may be
a problem with the TPM. See your GM dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will display when the system is not functioning
properly. A warning light will also appear on the
instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-32. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
Have the traction control system serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message will display when there is a problem with
the transaxle. See your GM dealer for service.
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SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message will display when a non-emissions related
malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
STARTING DISABLED SERVICE
THROTTLE
This message will display if the starting of the engine is
disabled due to the electronic throttle control system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer
immediately.
This message will only appear while the ignition is in
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message will display if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while you
were away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-17for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may be displayed if the gas cap is not
on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure
that it is on properly. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8
for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display when the system is
re-learning the tire positions. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 5-61. The tire positions must be
re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire
or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-64andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-60for
more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will display when the traction control system
turns off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-9for more information.
This message will only display while the ignition is in
RUN and will disappear after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.
Any of the following conditions may cause the traction
control system to turn off:
The traction control system is turned off by pressing
the traction control button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a traction control system failure. See your
GM dealer for service.
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TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message will display when the transaxle uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it to
idle until it cools down. If the warning message
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
TRUNK OPEN
This message will display when the trunk is not closed
completely. You should make sure that the trunk is
closed completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message will display as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than
about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
This message displays and a chime sounds only when
the ignition is in RUN. The message will not disappear
until the turn signal is manually turned off, or a turn
is completed.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
This message will display when the windshield washer
uid is low. Fill the windshield washer reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the location of the windshield
washer reservoir. Also, seeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-39for more information.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle has customization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to one preferred setting.
Customization features can only be programmed to
one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on your DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-30.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do
alcohol, drugs, and frustration.But even in three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If the engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
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Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel
cluster will come on briey
when you start your
vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on,
and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves
or pulses a little. This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
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The traction control system operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift
the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position
you’ve chosen, so you should use the lower gears only
when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-25.
When the system is on,
this warning light will
come on and stay on
to let you know if there’s
a problem.
A SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message will
also appear on the DIC. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the traction control
system on. But you can turn the system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-29andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-28
for more information.To turn the system on or
off, press the traction
control button located on
the left side of the
instrument panel.
When you turn the system off, a chime will sound,
the traction control warning light will come on and
stay on and a TRACTION CONTROL OFF message
will appear on the DIC. If the traction control system
is limiting wheel spin when you press the button to turn
the system off, the warning light will come on and
the system will turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The traction control light
should go off.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3for more information.
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