2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA warning

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-21
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
Indicator Light
This light comes on briefly while the
engine is started. If it does not, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the
indicator light will then go off.
This light can come on after the
vehicle is first driven and the
STABILITRAK NOT READY
message appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑31for more information. If the light stays on, or comes
on while driving a SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears in
the DIC. This indicates that there
may be a problem with the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system and the vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is
on and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message appears on the DIC, the
ESC system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle.
When the system is active, the light
flashes while the system is assisting
in controlling the vehicle.
See
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 9‑31 andRide
Control System Messages on
page 5‑32 for more information.
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. 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).

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
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.
If the traction control system is
manually turned off, this light comes
on and the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message appears on the DIC.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑29 andRide Control
System Messages on page 5‑32 for
more information.Engine Coolant
Temperature
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by the dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator
light goes off.
Notice: Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. See Engine Overheating
on page 10‑19. The vehicle's
engine could be damaged, and it
might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature
warning light on. The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
See
Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
A tire pressure message can
accompany the light. SeeTire
Messages on page 5‑34 for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire
and Loading Information Label.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑44
for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This 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.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑47 for
more information.Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might
have some other system problem.
Security Light
For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see
Anti-Theft Alarm System on
page 2‑12.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
High-Beam on Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑3 for more
information.
Front Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp lights come on when
the fog lamps are in use. The lights go out when the fog
lamps are turned off. See
Fog
Lamps on page 6‑5 for more
information.
Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light comes on
whenever the cruise control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control on page 9‑32 for more
information.
Information Displays
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. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑25 for
more information.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-29
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system detects that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable level. The battery saver
system starts reducing certain
features of the vehicle that you may
be able to notice. At the point that
the features are disabled, this
message is displayed. It means
that the vehicle is trying to save the
charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary
accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the generator and
battery charging systems. Driving
with this problem could drain the
battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Stop and turn off the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so. Have the electrical system
checked by your dealer immediately.
Brake System Messages
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays when
service is required on the brake
system. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer as soon as
possible. The brake system warning
light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on
page 5‑19.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
driver door is not closed properly.
Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
HOOD OPEN
If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, this message displays when
the hood is not closed properly.
Make sure that the hood is closed
completely. See Hood on page 10‑5.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
driver side rear door is not closed
properly. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
front passenger door is not closed
properly. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
5-30 Instruments and Controls
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
passenger side rear door is not
closed properly. Make sure that the
door is closed completely.
TRUNK OPEN
This message displays when the
trunk is not closed completely.
Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on
page 2‑10.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a
hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor is automatically turned
off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can continue to drive your
vehicle. If this message continues to
appear, have the system repaired
by your dealer as soon as possible
to avoid compressor damage.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
IDLE ENGINE
Notice:
If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays along with a
continuous chime when the engine
has overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid
severe engine damage. See Engine
Overheating on page 10‑19.
SERVICE A/C
(Air Conditioning) SYSTEM
This message displays when the
electronic sensors that control the
air conditioning and heating
systems are no longer working.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-31
Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer if you notice
a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when
service is required for the vehicle.
See your dealer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 10‑8 andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for more
information.
Acknowledging the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will
not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
That must be done at the OIL LIFE
screen under the vehicle information
menu. See “Oil Life”underDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑24 andEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑10.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
STOP ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure is
low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is
corrected. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑8 for more information.
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster.
See Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑23.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as
engine damage can result from
driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-33
If this message still stays on or
turns back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service.
Have the system inspected by your
dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this message
displays when the system is not
functioning properly. A warning light
also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 5‑21. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑29 for
more information. Have the TCS
serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message may display and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument
panel cluster may be on after first driving the vehicle and exceeding
30 km/h (19 mph) for 30 seconds.
The ESC system is not functional
until the light has turned off. See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑31
for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
message displays when the
TCS turns off. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑29 for
more information.
This message may display when
the ignition is in ON/RUN and
disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent
warning appears.
Any of the following conditions may
cause the TCS to turn off:
.The TCS is turned off by
pressing the traction control
button. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑29 for
more information.
.The battery is low.
.There is a TCS failure. See your
dealer for service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this message
displays when the TCS is turned on.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑29 for more information.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there
is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑15 for
more information.