2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA brake

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
begin to move. You or others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the regular brake at once
should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and the transmission
in N (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the P (Park) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to P (Park).
Then release the parking brake followed by
the regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care
to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
6-11

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-17.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-28.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377967,
in Canada 89021320).
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
6-12

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-17

Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags
in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking
to help the driver control the vehicle. These modules
may store data to help your dealer/retailer technician
service your vehicle. Some modules may also store data
about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded by your vehicle
only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is
recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash
location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type
of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.
7-18

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-21
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Active Fuel Management™...............................2-23
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-72
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-96
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment....................3-23
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-28
Airbag System................................................1-57
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-63
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-71
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-63
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-62
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-59Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-29
Antenna
Backglass...................................................3-96
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-96
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-31
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-92
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-93
Finish Damage
............................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-91
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-91
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-95
Tires..........................................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
1

Ashtray.........................................................3-19
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 7-8
Audio System.................................................3-63
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-94
Setting the Clock.........................................3-64
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-96
Audio System(s).............................................3-66
Audio Systems
Radio Reception..........................................3-95
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-93
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-10
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-96
Battery..........................................................5-40
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................6-14
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-82
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37Brakes..........................................................5-37
Antilock....................................................... 4-5
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-30
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-14
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-45
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-46
License Plate Lamps....................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps.................................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-69
C
Calibration.....................................................3-47
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 5-4
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
2

Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-18
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-37
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-60
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-25
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Introduction...................................................... 6-2
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Keyless Entry, Remote Operation........................ 2-5
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-54
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-36
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-15
Dome ........................................................3-15
License Plate..............................................5-51
Mirror Reading............................................3-17
Reading.....................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-32
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-27
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................1-45
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-16
Delayed Exit...............................................3-16
Entry.........................................................3-15
Parade Dimming..........................................3-16
Lights
Airbag Readiness........................................3-28
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............3-31
Brake System Warning.................................3-30
Charging System.........................................3-30
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Electronic StabiliTrak Control Indicator............3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-34
Exterior Lamps............................................3-12
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
7

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-33
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-32
MP3 .............................................................3-77
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-19
Net
Convenience...............................................2-43
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-19
O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Off-Road
Recovery....................................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System.................................5-20
Pressure Light.............................................3-39
Older Children, Restraints................................1-34
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-33
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-37Outlet Adjustment............................................3-23
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-33
Heated Mirrors............................................2-33
Power Mirrors.............................................2-32
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-34
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-95
Parade Dimming.............................................3-16
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-27
Shifting Out of............................................2-29
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-30
Parking Brake................................................2-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-29
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-17
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-18
9