2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning

{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those that
do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they
are the same size, load range, speed rating, and
construction type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your
vehicle’s original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if
non-TPC Spec rated tires are installed on your vehicle.
Non-TPC Spec rated tires may give a low-pressure
warning that is higher or lower than the proper warning
level you would get with TPC Spec rated tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-63.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-21, for more information about
the Tire and Loading Information Label and its
location on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-71andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
5-72

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specied government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-73

Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning:The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underination,
or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the
longest tire life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will
not be necessary on a regular basis. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to
one side or the other, the alignment might need to
be checked. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, the tires and wheels
might need to be rebalanced. See your dealer/retailer
for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
5-74

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire, on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
5-78

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

Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-26
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-88
Battery..........................................................5-42
Electric Power Management..........................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71C
Calibration.....................................................3-49
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-103
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-34, 4-16, 4-27
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-80
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-48
Center Seat..................................................... 1-8
Chains, Tire...................................................5-76
Charging System Light....................................3-34
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-39
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95Climate Control System...................................3-22
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-25
Clock............................................................3-67
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-89
Compass.......................................................3-49
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................
3-38
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-37
Heater, Engine............................................2-25
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-48
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-15
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......................................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-15
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
DIC Compass.................................................3-49
Disc, MP3......................................................3-80
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-17
Door
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-12
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-44
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-44
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-52
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-13
Before a Long Trip......................................4-14
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-14
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-15
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-13
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-20
Winter........................................................4-16
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-98
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Power Windows and Other Power Options.........5-99
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-99
Electronic Stability Control................................. 4-7
4