2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA ignition

Heated Seats
If your vehicle has this
feature, the buttons that
control temperature for
the driver’s and front
passenger’s seats are
located on the climate
control panel. SeeClimate
Control System on
page 3-22.
Press the button once to warm the seat to a high
temperature. Both lights below the heated seat symbol
will come on. Press the button a second time to
reduce the seat to a lower temperature. The bottom
light will be lit. Press the button a third time to turn the
heated seat off.
The heated seat feature will need to be turned on each
time the ignition is turned off and back on again.
Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle
is moving. The sudden movement could startle
and confuse you, or make you push a pedal
when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s
seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the seatback to be
sure it is locked.
1-4

A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket
or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment other than any that GM has
approved for your specic vehicle. SeeAdding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-67for more information about modications
that can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-15.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
1-66

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-8
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Automatic Door Lock.....................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-17Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-23
Starting the Engine.......................................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25
Active Fuel Management™
(3.9L V6 and 5.3L V8 Engines)...................2-26
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-30
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-30
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-32
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-33
Engine Exhaust............................................2-34
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-34
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
The key is used for the ignition and the driver’s door.
If you need a new key, contact your dealer/retailer
for assistance. In you are locked out of your vehicle,
contact Roadside Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-6for more information.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
2-3

Q(Lock):Press the lock button to lock all the doors.
If enabled through the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the parking lamps will ash once to indicate
locking has occurred. If enabled through the DIC,
the horn will chirp when the lock button is pressed again
within ve seconds of the previous press of the lock
button. SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-60for
additional information. Pressing the lock button may
arm the content theft-deterrent system. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-18.
"(Unlock):Press the unlock button to unlock the
driver’s door. If the button is pressed again within
ve seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will come on and stay on for 20 seconds or
until the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC,
the parking lamps will ash once to indicate unlocking
has occurred. SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 3-60. Pressing the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter will disarm the content theft-deterrent system.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-18.
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and hold this
button for about one second to release the trunk lid.
The transmission must be in PARK (P) for this feature
to operate.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and release
this button to locate your vehicle. The turn signal
lamps will ash and the horn will sound three times.
Press and hold this button for more than two seconds to
activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps will
ash and the horn will sound repeatedly for 30 seconds.
The alarm will turn off when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN or the alarm button is pressed again.
The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF for the panic alarm
to work.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased
through your dealer/retailer. Remember to bring any
additional transmitters so they can also be re-coded to
match the new transmitter. Once your dealer/retailer
has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will
not unlock your vehicle. The vehicle can have a
maximum of eight transmitters matched to it.
See Remote Key underDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-44.
2-6

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature that
allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle.
It may also start the vehicle’s heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger. When the remote
start system is active and the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system, it will automatically regulate the
inside temperature. Normal operation of these systems
will return after the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
Your Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter with the
remote start button provides an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running. As a result, you may need to
be closer to your vehicle to turn it off, than you were
to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-4.
/(Remote Start):This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button for about four seconds or
until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ash.
The doors will lock.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps turn on
and remain on while the engine is running.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts
per ignition cycle, each with 10 minutes of engine
running time, or one start with a time extension. The rst
start must expire or be canceled to get two separate
10 minute starts.
If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has been
driven, repeat the previous steps, while the engine is
still running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes from the time you repeat the steps for
remote starting. The remote start running time can be
extended one time and only after the rst remote start.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start,
insert and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
2-8

The engine will shut off automatically after 10 minutes,
unless a time extension has been done or the
vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch and
turned to ON/RUN.
To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following.
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
and release the remote start button.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch out of LOCK/OFF position
and then back to LOCK/OFF.
After the engine has been started two times, or one
time with a time extension, the vehicle’s ignition must be
turned to ON/RUN using the key before the remote
start procedure can be used again. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-22for information regarding the
ignition positions on your vehicle.
The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if any
of the follow occur:
The remote start system is disabled through the DIC.
The vehicle’s key is in the ignition.
The vehicle’s hood is open.
The hazard warning ashers are on.
The check engine light is on. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-39.
The engine coolant temperature is too high.
The oil pressure is low.
Two remote vehicle starts, or one start with a time
extension, have already been provided for that
ignition cycle.
Remote Start Ready
If your vehicle does not have the remote vehicle start
feature, it may have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer/retailer to add the
manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature.
If your vehicle has the remote start ready feature, your
RKE transmitter will have extended range that will
allow you to lock or unlock your vehicle from about
195 feet (60 m) away.
See your dealer/retailer if you would like to add the
manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature to your
vehicle.
2-9

Power Door Locks
A power door lock switch
is located on both front
doors next to the door
handle.
Press the top of the switch to unlock all doors, or press
the bottom of the switch to lock all doors.
If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent
system and it is armed, the power door lock switches will
be disabled. You must use your remote keyless entry
transmitter or your key to unlock the doors when
the system is armed. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-18.
Delayed Locking
This feature allows the driver to delay the actual locking
of the doors. When the driver’s power door lock
switch is pressed with the key removed from the ignition,
and the driver’s door open, a chime will sound three
times to signal that the delayed locking system is active.
When all doors have been closed, the doors will lock
automatically after several seconds. If any door is
opened before this, the timer will reset itself once all the
doors have been closed again.
Pressing the driver’s or passenger’s power door lock
switch again or the remote keyless entry transmitter
button will override this feature.
Personal Choice Programming
The delayed locking feature can be turned on or off,
using the Driver Information Center (DIC) to program
this feature. See “DELAY DOOR LOCK” underDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 3-60.
2-11