2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA Owners Manual

Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer or a
private collision repair facility to x the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by
your GM vehicle warranty.Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must
live with the repair. Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may initially value the repair
using aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine
GM parts, even if your insurance coverage does not
pay the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for
the repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
7-13

Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Branch
2780 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
7-14

In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for
GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
7-15

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, please specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.comOr you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-17
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-68
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-93
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-55
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-68
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-61
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-63
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-67
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-62
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-60
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-57
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-85
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-86Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-89
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-87
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-90
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-87
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-84
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-85
Finish Care.................................................5-88
Finish Damage............................................5-90
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-86
Leather......................................................5-86
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-90
Tires..........................................................5-89
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-90
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-91
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-88
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-83
Backglass Antenna......................................3-85
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-85
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-85
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Radio with CD....................................3-62, 3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-60
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-83
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-84
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-86
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-11
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-25
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-85
Battery..........................................................5-43
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Parking......................................................2-28
System Warning Light..................................3-30
Brakes..........................................................5-40
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-66
C
Calibration.....................................................3-44
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-99
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-32, 4-24, 4-36
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-87
Your CD Player...........................................3-85
Your CDs ...................................................3-85
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-43
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-25
Center Seat..................................................... 1-9
Chains, Tire...................................................5-71
2

Charging System Light....................................3-30
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-34
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-90
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-89
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-87
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-85
Finish Care.................................................5-88
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-84
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-86Cleaning (cont.)
Leather......................................................5-86
Tires..........................................................5-89
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-90
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-88
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-23
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-29
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-83
Compass.......................................................3-44
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-43
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-33
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-32
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling System..............................................5-31
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-15
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-38
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-42
3

Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-16
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-16
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-14
DIC Compass.................................................3-44
Displacement on Demand™ (DoD™).................2-25Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-15
Door
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-17
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-39
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-39
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-52
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-45
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City ...........................................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-29
Winter........................................................4-24
4