
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-9
Lockout Protection
This feature helps prevent you from
locking the doors while the key is in
the ignition. Always remember to
take your key with you when exiting
the vehicle.
If the lock switch is pressed on the
door that is open and the key is in
the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the open door will unlock.
A chime sounds continuously until
the driver door is closed.
Safety Locks
Rear door security locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from the inside.
The rear door security locks are
located on the inside edge of each
rear door. The rear doors must be
opened to access them.To assist in finding the lock, the
vehicle has the following:To use the lock:
1. Insert the key into the security
lock slot and turn it so the slot is
in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other rear door. To open a rear door when the
security lock is on, do the following:
1. Unlock the door by using the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter, if the vehicle has
one, by pressing the power door
lock switch, or by lifting the rear
door manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door
security lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it so the slot is
in the vertical position.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Your vehicle may have the optional
content theft-deterrent alarm
system.
To activate the theft-deterrent
system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with thepower door lock switch or the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. If you are using the
RKE transmitter, the door does
not need to be open.
3. Close all doors. Once armed, the alarm will go off if
someone tries to enter the vehicle
without using the RKE transmitter or
a key or turns the ignition on with an
incorrect key. The horn will sound
and the turn signal lamps will flash
for about 30 seconds.
When the alarm is armed, the
trunk may be opened with the
RKE transmitter. The power door
lock switches are disabled and the
doors remain locked. You must use
your RKE transmitter or your key to
unlock the doors when the system
is armed.
Arming with the Power Lock
Switch
The alarm system will arm when
you use either power lock switch to
lock the doors while any door is
open and the key is removed from
the ignition. The alarm system will
not arm if the trunk is open when
you use either power lock switch to
lock the doors.
Arming with the
RKE Transmitter
The alarm system will arm when
you use your RKE transmitter to
lock the doors, if the key is not in
the ignition.
Disarming with the
RKE Transmitter
The alarm system will disarm when
you use your RKE transmitter to
unlock the doors.
The first time a remote unlock
command is received, three flashes
will be seen and three horn chirps
heard to indicate an alarm condition
has occurred since last arming.
Disarming with Your Key
The alarm system will disarm
when you use your key to unlock
the doors or insert your key in
the ignition and turn it from the
LOCK/OFF position.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑17 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned to
ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system. The security light will come on if
there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When the PASS-Key III+ system
senses that someone is using the
wrong key, it prevents the vehicle
from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the
vehicle will be discouraged because
of the high number of electrical key
codes.
If the engine does not start and the
security light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, there may be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and
try again.
If the engine still does not start,
and the key appears to be
undamaged, try another ignition key.
At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 10‑34. If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the
PASS-Key III+ to have a new
key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key III+
decoder to learn the transponder
value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 keys may be programmed
for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the
currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see
your dealer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key III+ to have keys
made and programmed to the
system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key III+ to get a
new key blank cut exactly as the
ignition key that operates the
system.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the
engine will not start, see your
dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF,
and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within
five seconds of turning the
ignition to the LOCK/OFF
position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed. 5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if
additional keys are to be
programmed.
If you lose or damage your
PASS-Key III+ key, see your dealer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key III+ to have a new
key made.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates
the theft-deterrent system in
the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-17
Power Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the keys is dangerous for many
reasons. Children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function and they
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a
vehicle with children.
When there are children in the
rear seat use the window lockout
button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.
The switches on the driver door
armrest are used to control each of
the windows. Each passenger door
has its own window switch.The power window switches work
while the ignition is in ON/RUN,
ACC/ACCESSORY, or while
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active. See
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑18.
To lower the window, press and
hold the front of the switch to the
first position until the window is at
the desired level. To raise the
window, pull up and hold the front of
the switch.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows
Express-Down Window
The driver window switch has an
express-down feature labeled
AUTO. This lets you lower the
window completely without holding
the switch. Press the front of the
switch to the second position
and release.
To stop the window while it is
lowering, briefly pull up on
the switch.
Window Lockout
o(Window Lockout):The driver
window switches also include a
lockout switch. Press the right side
of the switch to prevent the rear
passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control
all the windows and the front
passenger can control their own
window with the lockout on. Press
the left side of the switch to return to
normal window operation. A red bar
on the right side of the switch
indicates that the lockout is off.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod if
available.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-29
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
right front passenger, and second
row outboard passengers are in the
ceiling above the side windows.
{WARNING
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Do not use seat accessories
that block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the
roof of a vehicle with roof-rail
airbags by routing a rope or
tie down through any door or
window opening. If you do, the
path of an inflating roof-rail airbag
will be blocked.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
3-32 Seats and Restraints
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, seeWhat Makes
an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑31.
The parts of the airbag that
come into contact with you may be
warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and
dust coming from the vents in the
deflated airbags. Airbag inflation
does not prevent the driver from
seeing out of the windshield or
being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it prevent people from leaving
the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
You can lock the doors, turn off the
interior lamps and hazard warning
flashers by using the controls for
those features.