2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA service indicator

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 5-98.
If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code K
only) or the 3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code 3), you can use
either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel on
page 5-5. In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described underGasoline Octane on page 5-6.
Only vehicles that have the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code K)
or the 3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code 3) can use 85% ethanol
fuel (E85). We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that
are designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a
“renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from renewable
sources such as corn and other crops.Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html)
that can help you nd E85 fuel. Those stations that
do have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol
content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content
is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798. By denition, this means
that fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content
between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank with fuel
mixtures that do not meet ASTM specications can
affect driveability and could cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not
properly formulated for your climate. If this happens,
switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank
can improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank
should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best
not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85.
5-8

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-103.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
5-41

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-67
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-32
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag System................................................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?........1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-57
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle............................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-60
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-66
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-60
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-88
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-88
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-35Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-96
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-96
Tires
..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-21
Audio System.................................................3-66
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-86
Backglass Antenna......................................3-88
Radio Reception..........................................3-87
Setting the Time..........................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-85
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-88
1

Locks
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-12
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-39
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-52
Mirror Reading Lamps.....................................3-19
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-36
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-37
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-37
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-37
MP3 .............................................................3-80
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-29
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-42
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-38
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-42
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-25
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-37
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-37
Power Mirrors.............................................2-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-96
Parade Dimming.............................................3-18
Park Brake....................................................2-30
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-30
Shifting Out of............................................2-32
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-32
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-26
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-62
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-20
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-99
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-37
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-29
9

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-30
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-93
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Lap Belt.....................................................1-29
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-24
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-30
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-29
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Center Seat.................................................. 1-8
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-8
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-50
Rear Seat Position......................................1-47
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-50
Security Light.................................................3-42Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
California Pershlorate Materials Requirements..... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-39
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Service, Scheduling Appointments....................... 7-9
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-66
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-96
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-32
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-89
Installing....................................................5-81
Removing
...................................................5-79
Storing.......................................................5-87
Specications, Capacities...............................5-103
Speedometer..................................................3-29
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-8
StabiliTrak
®Control Indicator Light, Electronic......3-36
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-8
Starting the Engine.........................................2-23
Steering.......................................................... 4-9
11

Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-26
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-27
Your Vehicle...............................................4-26
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-6
Control System Warning Light.......................3-36
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-24
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-26
Trunk............................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-73
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-41
Operation...................................................2-42
Using this Manual............................................... iii
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-21
Symbols......................................................... ivVehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-60
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-98
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-98
Vehicle, Remote Start....................................... 2-8
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-25
Visors...........................................................2-17
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-27
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-52
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-74
Different Size..............................................5-72
Replacement...............................................5-74
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-40
Windows.......................................................2-15
Power........................................................2-16
13