2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA ignition

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

If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{
WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 4-24
for more information, including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44for more
information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
4-26

Brake System Warning LightThe vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking
both parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
stays on if the parking brake does not fully release. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully released, it means
the vehicle has a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal might be harder to push, or
the pedal can go closer to the floor. It may take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-26.
{
WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service. United States
Canada
4-27

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake
System (ABS) light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-27.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44for all
brake related DIC messages.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with a Traction
Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak
®warning light,
this light comes on briefly
when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
When the system is active, the light flashes while the
system is limiting wheel spin or assisting with controlling
the vehicle.
If it stays on or comes on while driving a SERVICE
TRACTION CONTROL message appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). This indicates that there could
be a problem with the traction control system and the
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on
and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message
appears on the DIC, the system does not limit wheel spin.
4-28

Tire Pressure LightFor vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system,
this light comes on briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire pressures and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.When the Light is On SteadyThis indicates that one or more of the tires are
significantly underinflated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 4-37for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is safe
to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper pressure.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-59for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On SteadyThis indicates that there may be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light flashes for about
a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on page 6-62for more information.Malfunction Indicator LampCheck Engine LightA computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
4-31

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 4-5
for more information.
Fuel GageWhen the ignition is on, the fuel gage indicates about
how much fuel is left in the fuel tank.An arrow on the fuel gage indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.
Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the fuel gage:
•
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
•
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the fuel tank’s capacity
to fill the tank.
•
The gage moves a little when while turning a corner
or speeding up.
•
The gage does not go back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
United States
Canada
4-36

Driver Information Center (DIC)Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel,
to the right of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The bottom line of the DIC shows the shift
lever position indicator. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 3-24for more information.
If your vehicle has these features, the DIC also displays
the compass direction and the outside air temperature
when viewing the trip and fuel information. The compass
direction appears on the top right corner of the DIC
display. The outside air temperature automatically
appears in the bottom right corner of the DIC display.
If there is a problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the numbers will be replaced with
dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 4-51for
more information.
DIC Operation and DisplaysThe DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the right of the instrument panel cluster.DIC Buttons
The buttons are the
trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization,
and set/reset buttons.
The button functions are
detailed in the following
pages.
3
(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy,
instantaneous economy, Active Fuel Management™
indicator on vehicles with this feature, and average
speed.
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