2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA check engine

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-98.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-40.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underCooling System on page 5-26.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-31.
G. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-34.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
J. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-24.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-98.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-40.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-31.
F. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-34.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-24.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
L. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underCooling System on page 5-26.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel ll. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all that is needed
for good performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system must
be reset every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have
to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
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Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
The transmission uid
dipstick handle is the black
loop with this symbol on
it. It is located near
the rear of the engine
compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for more information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
V6 Engines5.3L V8 Engine
5-25

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Cooling System
The Cooling System allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans3.5L V6 Engine shown, 3.9L Engine similar
5-26

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-31
What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could be
damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
5-28

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If
coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the COLD FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine Coolant Engine Coolant
for more information.
If your vehicle has one of the V6 engines, the coolant
recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine, the coolant
recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or
above the COLD FILL line on the coolant recovery tank.
To check the coolant level, look for the COLD FILL line
on the side of the coolant recovery tank that faces the
engine. If the level is not correct, there may be a leak in
the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do
not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
When the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank is at
the COLD FILL line, start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the cooling system through the
coolant ll neck on the engine, but be sure the system
is cool before you do it.
5-29