
In Brief........................................................... 1-1
Instrument Panel
........................................ 1-2
Initial Drive Information
............................... 1-4
Vehicle Features
......................................1-15
Performance and Maintenance
...................1-19
Seats and Restraint System............................. 2-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 2-2
Front Seats
............................................... 2-4
Rear Seats
..............................................2-10
Safety Belts
.............................................2-12
Child Restraints
.......................................2-32
Airbag System
.........................................2-56
Restraint System Check
............................2-74
Features and Controls..................................... 3-1
Keys
........................................................ 3-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 3-9
Windows
.................................................3-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................3-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........3-19
Mirrors
....................................................3-33Universal Home Remote System
................3-35
Storage Areas
.........................................3-42
Sunroof
..................................................3-43
Instrument Panel............................................. 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 4-3
Climate Controls
......................................4-16
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
. . . . . . . . 4-21
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................4-37
Audio System(s)
.......................................4-57
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 5-2
Towing
...................................................5-26
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 6-1
Service
..................................................... 6-3
Fuel
......................................................... 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............6-12
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................6-43
Bulb Replacement
....................................6-43
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
. . . . . . . . . 6-49
2010 Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual
M

Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverThe 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 4-9.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash 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 flash
to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is briefly pressed
and released, the turn signal flashes three times.
The lever returns to its starting position whenever it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow flashes
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 6-96
4-4

Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerThe arrows on the instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also flash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.Driving on GradesNotice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transmission temperatures
may result and damage the vehicle. Frequent
stops are very important to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-29.
Parking on Hills
{
WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
5-33

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle . . . . ..................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-6
California Fuel...............................................6-6
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
Filling the Tank............................................6-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-22
Cooling System............................................6-24Engine Coolant.............................................6-25
Engine Overheating.......................................6-29
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-32
Windshield Washer Fluid . . ..............................6-33
Brakes........................................................6-35
Battery........................................................6-38
Jump Starting...............................................6-39
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................6-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................6-47
License Plate Lamp......................................6-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-49
Tires..............................................................6-51
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . .................................6-52
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . ...................6-56
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-59
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other
vehicle.
5. Return the fuse block cover to its original position.Headlamp AimingHeadlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers flash their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Bulb ReplacementFor the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 6-49.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.Halogen Bulbs
{
WARNING:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.
6-43

Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking LampsA. Sidemarker
B. Low-Beam
HeadlampC. High-Beam
Headlamp
D. Parking/Turn
Signal LampTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 6-13.
2. Remove the screw from the headlamp assembly.6-44

3. Pull up on the plastic headlamp retainer and
remove it.
4. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the vehicle
and remove the electrical connector.
5. Remove the round dust caps to gain access to the
bulbs.
6. Turn the old bulb counterclockwise and remove it
from the retaining ring by pulling it away from the
headlamp.7. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by
raising the lock tab and pulling the connector away
from the bulb’s base.
8. Install the electrical connector to the bulb.
9. Install the new bulb by inserting the smallest tab
on the bulb base into the matching notch in the
retaining ring. Turn the bulb a quarter-turn clockwise
until it stops.
10. Reinstall the dust caps.
11. Push the headlamp assembly toward the vehicle.
6-45

Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up LampsA. Rear Sidemarker Lamp
B. Back-up Lamp
C. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn SignalTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 3-12.
2. Remove the convenience net. Unhook the net from
the upper wing nut.
3. Turn the upper wing nut counterclockwise and
remove it.
4. Pull the carpet away from the rear of the vehicle.
6-47