Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Airbag System
.........................................1-54
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
Universal Home Remote System
..................2-41
Storage Areas
.........................................2-48
Sunroof
..................................................2-49
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-27
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-44
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-66Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-26
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-52
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-90
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-103
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index.................................................................1
2008 Chevrolet Impala Owner ManualM
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an
easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the
key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime will
sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always
remember to remove your key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock your ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an
extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
The radio will work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF the radio will continue to
work 10 minutes or until the driver’s door is opened.
The power windows will continue to work for up to
10 minutes or until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position – this is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
2-23
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-86
for more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” in
order to activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to
dial numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for
more information.
How OnStar Service Works
In order to provide you with OnStar services, your
vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of recording
and transmitting vehicle information. This information
is automatically sent to an OnStar Call Center at
the time of an OnStar button press, Emergency button
press or if your airbags or AACN system deploys.The vehicle information usually includes your GPS
location and, in the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the accident that your vehicle has
been involved in (e.g. the direction from which your
vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual Advisor
feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your vehicle
also sends OnStar your GPS location so that we can
provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless you are in a place
where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere, particularly in remote
or enclosed areas, or at all times.
OnStar service that involves location information about
your vehicle cannot work unless GPS satellite signals
are unobstructed and available in that place as well.
2-40
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-36
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light.........3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-38
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-42
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-42
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-43
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-44
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-44
DIC Compass..............................................3-49
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-52
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-60
Audio System(s).............................................3-66
Setting the Time...........................................3-67
Radio(s)......................................................3-69
Using an MP3..............................................3-80
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-84
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-85
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-86
Radio Reception...........................................3-87
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-88
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-88
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-25.
B. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Release” underTrunk on page 2-13.
C. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-28.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Driver Information Center. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
G. Passenger Air Bag status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-32.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-66.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
J. Instrument Panel Brightness. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-17.
K. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.L. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-6.
M. Steering Wheel Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
O. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-86.
Q. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-22.
R. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-22.
S. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
“Console Shift Lever” underShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-30.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-48.
3-5
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here are
some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-23for more
information.
3-66
Radio(s)
Your vehicle has one of these radios as its audio
system. Radio with CD (Base)
Radio with CD (MP3) shown, Radio with
Six-Disc CD (MP3) similar
3-69