2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................3-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation . . .................................................3-4
Remote Vehicle Start......................................3-7
Doors and Locks.............................................3-9
Door Locks....................................................3-9
Power Door Locks........................................3-10
Delayed Locking...........................................3-10
Automatic Door Lock.....................................3-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............3-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................3-11
Lockout Protection........................................3-12
Trunk . . . . . . ....................................................3-12
Windows........................................................3-14
Power Windows............................................3-15
Sun Visors...................................................3-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................3-16
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................3-17
PASS-Key
®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............3-18
PASS-Key
®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation . . ...............................................3-18Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................3-19
New Vehicle Break-In....................................3-19
Ignition Positions..........................................3-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................3-21
Starting the Engine.......................................3-21
Engine Coolant Heater ..................................3-23
Automatic Transmission Operation...................3-24
Parking Brake..............................................3-27
Shifting Into Park..........................................3-28
Shifting Out of Park......................................3-29
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................3-30
Engine Exhaust............................................3-31
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................3-32
Mirrors...........................................................3-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................3-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................3-33
Outside Power Mirrors . . .................................3-34
Outside Convex Mirror . . .................................3-34
Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................3-34
Universal Home Remote System......................3-35
Universal Home Remote System Operation
(With Three Round LED)............................3-35
Section 3 Features and Controls
3-1

Automatic Transmission OperationThe automatic transmission has a shift lever on the
steering column or on the console between the seats.
There is a display, located on the instrument panel
cluster that will indicate the gear the vehicle is in.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transmission vehicles while in P (Park) or N (Neutral) to
protect driveline components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is
the best position to use when the engine is started
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{
WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. 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, use the steps that follow.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 5-28.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply the brakes first, then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from P (Park) while the
ignition is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park),
ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift
lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park on page 3-29.
3-24

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{
WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. SeeParking Brake
on page 3-27for more information.
Torque LockTorque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and then it
is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see “Shifting Into Park” in this section.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to be
pushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parking
pawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).Shifting Out of ParkAutomatic Transmission Shift LockThe vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to:•
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in P (Park)
•
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
3-29

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.
{
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.
{
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

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.
4-37

If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system begins
to assist the driver maintain directional control of the
vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will flash and the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 4-6.
The ESC/TCS button is
located on the instrument
panel.
The traction control system can be turned off or back on
by pressing the ESC/TCS button. To disable both traction
control and ESC, press and hold the button briefly.
When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message will appear, and the ESC/TCS
light will be on solid to warn the driver that both
traction control and ESC are disabled.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” your vehicle to attempt tofree it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-19.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines that
a problem exists with the system. The SERVICE
STABILITRAK message and the ESC/TCS light will be
on solid to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and
requires service. If the problem does not clear after
restarting the vehicle, you should see your dealer/retailer
for service. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 4-44for more information.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 6-3for more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)The vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transmission and apply the front brakes to limit
wheel spin.
5-7

This light will flash when
the TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.
If cruise control is being used when TCS begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. Cruise control may be reengaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4-6.
The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the shift lever position chosen, so
use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3-24.When the system is on,
this warning light comes
on and stays on if there is
a problem.
A SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message also
appears on the DIC. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-44for more information.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, TCS should always be left on. But the
system can be turned off if needed. Turn the system off
if the vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-20andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-19
for more information.
5-8

Leaving After Parking on a Hill1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
•
start the engine,
•
shift into a gear, and
•
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer TowingThe vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3for more
information. Things that are especially important in traileroperation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil,
belts, cooling system and brake system. It is a good idea
to inspect these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer TowingThe cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 6-29.Changing a Tire When Trailer TowingIf the vehicle gets a flat tire while towing a trailer,
be sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from the
vehicle before changing the tire.
5-34