2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA engine

Running the Vehicle While ParkedIt is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
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WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-31.
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WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 3-28.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 5-28.
3-32

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

;
(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 4-11.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp SystemDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:•
The ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
•
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
•
The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, the regular headlamps, taillamps,
sidemarker, and other lamps are not on. The instrument
panel and cluster are also not on.
The headlamps automatically change from DRL to
the regular headlamps depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. The other lamps that come on with
the headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps go off
and the DRL come on.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when needed.
Do not cover the light sensor on top of the instrument
panel because it works with the DRL.
4-10

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

Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside the vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the air inside
the vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so a small amount of water may drip under
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.:
(Outside Air):Press to turn on outside air.
An indicator light comes on to show that it is on.
Outside air will circulate throughout the vehicle.
?
(Recirculation):Press to turn on the recirculation
mode. An indicator light comes on to show that
it is on.
This mode helps to quickly heat or cool the air inside the
vehicle once the temperature inside the vehicle is equal
to or better than the outside temperature. It can be used
to prevent outside air and odors from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode is not available in outside air,
floor, defog or defrost modes. If the button is selected
while in these modes, the indicator flashes three times.
Rear Window DefoggerThe rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.<
(Rear Window Defogger):The rear window
defogger turns off automatically after it has been
activated for 10 minutes. It can be turned off manually,
by pressing the button again or by turning the ignition
to the LOCK/OFF position. The rear window defogger
can be turned on again for additional window clearing.
The length of defogger operation will increase if the
vehicle is being driven.
For vehicles with heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface of
the mirror when the rear window defog button is
pressed. SeeOutside Power Mirrors on page 3-34.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
4-19

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

Speedometer and OdometerThe speedometer shows the vehicle’s speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been
driven in either miles (used in the United States) or
in kilometers (used in Canada).
This vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer. If the
odometer displays ERROR, it probably has been
tampered with and the numbers might not be accurate.
If the vehicle needs a new odometer installed, it
must be set to the mileage total of the old odometer.
If that is not possible, then it will be set at zero and
a label must be put on the driver’s door to show the old
mileage reading of the vehicle when the new odometer
was installed.TachometerThe tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If the engine is operated with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area, the vehicle could be
damaged, and the damages would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not operate the engine with
the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Safety Belt RemindersSafety Belt Reminder LightWhen the engine is started, a chime sounds for
several seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety
belt, unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light comes
on and stays on for several
seconds, then flashes for
several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor
the light comes on.
4-23