2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA service indicator

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

Safety Warnings and SymbolsWarning Messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid
or reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.
WarningorCautionindicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.
{
WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice:This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would not
be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”
Vehicle SymbolsThe vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specific component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.M
:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*
:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on
(may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size
is sitting properly in the right front passenger seat. When
the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag
to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbag is active.
For some children, including children in child restraints,
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing
system may or may not turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{
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.
2-68

If the passenger seat gets wet, dry the seat immediately.
If the airbag readiness light is lit, do not install a child
restraint or allow anyone to occupy the seat. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 4-24for important safety
information.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired, remove the object from the seat.
{
WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
VehicleAirbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 8-17.
{
WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
2-72

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has
four different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN
and the brake pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer.A (LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission. This is the only position in
which the ignition key can be inserted or removed.
The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from left to
right while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the position in which
you can operate the radio and windshield wipers
while the engine is off. To use ACC/ACCESSORY,
turn the key clockwise.
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
3-20

{
WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44
for more information.
Passenger Airbag Status IndicatorThe vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 2-66for
important safety information. The instrument panel has
a passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and
off, for several seconds as a system check. If you are
using remote start to start the vehicle from a distance, if
equipped, you may not see the system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status indicator will light either
ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to let you know
the status of the right front passenger frontal airbag.United States
Canada
4-25

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

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