Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-13
Child Restraints
.......................................1-34
Airbag System
.........................................1-57
Restraint System Check
............................1-73
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
®System
......................................2-33
Universal Home Remote System
................2-36
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-24Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-42
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-63
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the 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
.....................................5-45
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-51
Tires
......................................................5-53
Appearance Care
.....................................5-89
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-96
Electrical System
......................................5-96
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-101
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-16
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-18
Index................................................................ 1
2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner ManualM
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Pull the lever, located at the bottom of the mirror
for nighttime use. Return the lever to its original position
for the day position.
If the vehicle has map lamps, press the buttons located
at the bottom of the mirror to turn them on or off.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons located at the bottom of the mirror. See
your dealer/retailer for more information about OnStar
®
and how to subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-33for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with the OnStar®System.
Press the button located below the mirror, on the far
left, for up to three seconds to turn the dimming feature
off and on.There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.
There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror. See your dealer/retailer for more information
about OnStar
®and how to subscribe to it. See
OnStar®System on page 2-33for more information
about the service OnStar®provides.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door
armrest.
1. Press the left or right side of the selector switch
located beneath the control pad, to select the
driver or passenger mirror.
2-32
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control................................................3-9
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System......................................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-15
Entry Lighting...............................................3-15
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-16
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-16
Parade Dimming...........................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Mirror Reading Lamps...................................3-17
Electric Power Management...........................3-17Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-23
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Tachometer
.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-27
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-29
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-31
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light........................................................3-32
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light.........3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-34
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G: Turn and Lane Change Signals
2: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
N: Windshield Wipers
LQ: Windshield Washer
Flash-to-Pass.
For information on the headlamps, seeExterior Lamps
on page 3-12.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is completed. If the lever is brie y pressed and released,
the turn signal ashes three times.
The lever returns to its starting position whenever it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow ashes
rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb might be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-97.
3-7
Turn Signal On Chime
If either one of the turn signals are left on and the
vehicle has been driven more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km),
a chime will sound.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on if the
high beam lamps are turned on while the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to the vehicle ahead that
you want to pass.
If the headlamps are off or in the low-beam position,
pull the turn signal lever toward you to momentarily
switch to high-beams.
Release the lever to turn the high-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
Turn the band with the wiper symbol to control the
windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Turn to mist for a single wiping cycle. Hold it
there until the wipers start. Then let go. The wipers stop
after one wipe. Hold the band on mist longer, for more
wipe cycles.
9(Off):Turns the wipers off.
6(Delay):Turn the band to adjust the delay time.
The delay between wiping cycles becomes shorter as
the band is moved to the top of the lever. This can
be very useful in light rain or snow.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed.
?(High Speed):For high-speed wiping.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they are frozen to the windshield, gently loosen
or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades may not clear the
windshield well, making it harder to see and drive safely.
If the blades do become damaged, install new blades or
blade inserts. For more information, seeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-51.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
3-8
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. If the brakes
are applied the cruise control will turn off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[button on the steering wheel.
Press theTbutton on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control
is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
3-12
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Turns off the automatic headlamps and
daytime running lamps (DRL). Turning the headlamp
control to the off position again will turn the automatic
headlamps or DRL back on. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the off position only works when the vehicle
is shifted into the P (Park) position.
AUTO (Automatic):Automatically turns on the
headlamps at normal brightness, together with the
following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together with
the following lamps listed below. When the headlamps
are turned on while the vehicle is on, the headlamps
will turn off automatically 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off. When the headlamps are turned on while the
vehicle is off, the headlamps will stay on for 10 minutes
before automatically turning off to prevent the battery
from being drained. Turn the headlamp control to off
and then back to the headlamp on position to make
the headlamps stay on for an additional 10 minutes.
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
#(Fog Lamps) (If Equipped):Turns on the fog lamps.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-14.
3-13