2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA tire

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 Identication
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Specications
...................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

THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE
(D) without using your brakes. You might choose THIRD
(3) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your brakes.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads.
You would also then want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transmission. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D)
instead of SECOND (2).FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or
mud. If the shift lever is in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission will not shift into
rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-29

Programming Universal Home
Remote — Rolling Code
If you have questions or need help programming the
Universal Home Remote System, call 1-866-572-2728.
Most garage door openers sold after 1996 are Rolling
Code units.
Programming a garage door opener involves
time-sensitive actions, so read the entire procedure
before you begin. If you do not follow these actions,
the device will time out and you will have to repeat the
procedure.
To program up to three devices:
1. From inside the vehicle, press the two outside
buttons at the same time for one to two seconds,
and immediately release them.2. Locate in the garage, the garage door opener
receiver (motor-head unit). Locate the “Learn” or
“Smart” button. It can usually be found where the
hanging antenna wire is attached to the motor-head
unit and may be a colored button. Press this
button. After you press this button, you will have
30 seconds to complete the following steps.
3. Immediately return to your vehicle. Press and hold
the Universal Home Remote button that you would
like to use to control the garage door until the
garage door moves. The indicator light, above the
selected button, should slowly blink. You may
need to hold the button from ve to 20 seconds.
2-43

4. Immediately, within one second, release the button
when the garage door moves. The indicator light
will blink rapidly until programming is complete.
5. Press and release the same button again.
The garage door should move, conrming
that programming is successful and complete.
To program another Rolling Code device such as an
additional garage door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat Steps 1-5, choosing
a different function button in Step 3 than what you
used for the garage door opener.
If these instructions do not work, you probably have
a Fixed Code garage door opener. Follow the
Programming instructions that follow for a Fixed Code
garage door opener.
Programming Universal Home
Remote — Fixed Code
If you have questions or need help programming the
Universal Home Remote System, call 1-866-572-2728.
Most garage door openers sold before 1996 are
Fixed Code units.Programming a garage door opener involves
time-sensitive actions, so read the entire procedure
before you begin. If you do not follow these actions,
the device will time out and you will have to repeat
the procedure.
To program up to three devices:
1. To verify if you have a Fixed Code garage door
opener, remove the battery cover on your hand
held transmitter supplied by the manufacturer
of your garage door opener motor. If you see a row
of dip switches similar to the graphic above, you
have a Fixed Code garage door opener. If you
do not see a row of dip switches, return to
the previous section for Programming Universal
Home Remote – Rolling Code.
2-44

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

{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS)
and the cruise control is on, TCS will begin to limit
wheel spin and the cruise control automatically turns off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
the cruise control can be turned back on.The cruise control buttons
are located on outboard
side of the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):Press this button to turn cruise control
on and off. The indicator is lit when cruise control is on.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button to
make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
SET–:Press this button to set the speed or make the
vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press this button to cancel cruise control.
3-11

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves towards the “H” (United States)
or the shaded in thermostat (Canada), it means that your
engine coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions,
you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), may accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-52for more
information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to
do so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-54for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light will ash for approximately
60 seconds and then stay on solid for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-63for more information. United States
Canada
3-38

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
make sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This can prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-39