2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA climate control

To open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the
following:
1. Unlock the door using the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle has one, the
power door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door
manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.Lockout ProtectionThis feature helps prevent you from locking the doors
while the key is in the ignition. Always remember to take
your key with you when exiting the vehicle.
If the lock switch is pressed on the door that is open
and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will
lock and then the open door will unlock. A chime sounds
continuously until the driver door is closed.
Trunk
{
WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or
trunk/hatch open:
•
Close all of the windows.
•
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
•
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
•
If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-31.
3-12

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. Press one of the four buttons located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind it can be seen.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
Outside Convex Mirror
{
WARNING:
A convex mirror can make things, like other
vehicles, look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder before changing
lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Outside Heated MirrorsFor vehicles with heated mirrors:=
(Rear Window Defogger):Press to heat the
outside rearview mirrors. See “Rear Window Defogger”
underClimate Control System on page 4-16for more
information.
3-34

Instrument Panel Overview...............................4-3
Hazard Warning Flashers................................4-3
Horn.............................................................4-3
Tilt Wheel . . . ..................................................4-3
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................4-4
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................4-4
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................4-5
Flash-to-Pass.................................................4-5
Windshield Wipers..........................................4-5
Windshield Washer.........................................4-6
Cruise Control................................................4-6
Exterior Lamps...............................................4-9
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System......................................4-10
Fog Lamps..................................................4-11
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................4-11
Courtesy Lamps...........................................4-11
Dome Lamp . . ...............................................4-11
Entry Lighting...............................................4-12
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................4-12
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................4-13
Parade Dimming...........................................4-13
Reading Lamps............................................4-13
Map Lamps . . ...............................................4-13
Electric Power Management...........................4-13Battery Run-Down Protection ..........................4-14
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................4-15
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................4-16
Climate Controls............................................4-16
Climate Control System.................................4-16
Outlet Adjustment.........................................4-20
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................4-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............4-21
Instrument Panel Cluster . . ..............................4-22
Speedometer and Odometer
...........................4-23
Tachometer.................................................4-23
Safety Belt Reminders . . .................................4-23
Airbag Readiness Light ..................................4-24
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................4-25
Charging System Light ..................................4-26
Brake System Warning Light ..........................4-27
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light........................................................4-28
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light........................................................4-28
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light . . . . . . . . .4-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . .4-30
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................4-30
Tire Pressure Light.......................................4-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................4-31
Section 4 Instrument Panel
4-1

A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the battery.
It does this by balancing the generator’s output and the
vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4-44.
Battery Run-Down ProtectionThis feature helps prevent the battery from being drained,
if the interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor
vanity lamps or trunk lamp are accidentally left on. If any
of these lamps are left on, they automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off. The lamps will not come
back on again until one of the following occurs:•
The ignition is turned on.
•
The exterior lamps control is turned off, then on
again.
The headlamps will timeout after 10 minutes, if they are
manually turned on with the ignition on or off.
4-14

Accessory Power Outlet(s)The vehicle has three 12-volt outlets which can be
used to plug in electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone.
On vehicles with a center console, one outlet is located
inside the center floor console and two outlets are located
at the front of the console bin under the instrument panel.
Lift the cover to access the outlet. Close the cover when
not using the outlet.
On vehicles without a center console, two are located
under the climate controls and another outlet for the rear
seat passengers is at the rear of the center front seat.
Remove the cover to access the outlets. When not using
the outlet, make sure the cover is closed.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.Certain accessory plugs may not be compatible to the
accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle
and adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see
your dealer/retailer for additional information on
the power accessory plugs.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the maximum amperage rating of 20 amps.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory
bracket from the plug because the power outlets
are designed for accessory power plugs only.
4-15

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette LighterThe vehicle may have an ashtray and a cigarette lighter.
The ashtray and cigarette lighter may be located in the
console, if the vehicle has one, otherwise, they may be
located in the center armrest of the front seat.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other flammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage the vehicle. Never put flammable items
in the ashtray.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold
a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Climate ControlsClimate Control SystemThis vehicle may have a dual or single climate
control system. The heating, cooling, defrost,
defog and ventilation can be controlled with this
system. For vehicles with heated seats, seeHeated
Seats on page 2-6.
A. Fan Control
B. Outside Air
C. Recirculation
D. Air Delivery Mode
Control
E. Air ConditioningF. Driver and Passenger
Heated Seats
G. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
H. Rear Window
Defogger Dual Zone with Optional Heated Seat Controls
4-16

Outlet AdjustmentUse the thumbwheel located below or to the side of the
outlet, to change the direction of the air flow.Operation Tips•
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into the vehicle.
•
Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
•
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
•
If the airflow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air filter, if equipped, may need to replaced.
For more information, seePassenger Compartment
Air Filter on page 4-20andScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-3.
•
If fogging reoccurs while in vent or bi-level modes
with mild temperature throughout the vehicle, turn
on the air conditioner to reduce windshield fogging.
Passenger Compartment Air FilterThe vehicle has a passenger compartment particulate
air filter. It is located in the engine compartment,
below the air inlet grille on the passenger side.
The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering
the climate control system. It needs to be changed
periodically to ensure system performance. For
information on how often to change the passenger
compartment air filter, seeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-3.
To change the passenger compartment air filter:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the vehicle hood.
3. Pull back the hood weatherstrip from the
passengers side of the vehicle halfway to center.
4-20

4. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
5. Lift the air inlet grille and disconnect the washer
hose at the quick-connect.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the water deflector plate.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For best climate control system performance, reinstall
the air filter.
For the type of filter to use, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 7-11.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
IndicatorsWarning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there might be or there
is a problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there might be or there is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to indicate a problem
with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
could be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
4-21