2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA battery

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-29
Vehicle Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status of
the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the
driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear one
after another. Some messages may
not require immediate action, but
you can press the set/reset button
to acknowledge that you received
the message and clear it from the
DIC display. Pressing any of the
DIC buttons also acknowledges and
clears any messages. Some
messages cannot be cleared from
the DIC display because they are
more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be
cleared. You should take any
messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember that
clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not
correct the problem. The following
are the possible messages that can
be displayed and some information
about them.
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.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter needs to be
replaced. To replace the battery, see
“Battery Replacement”under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned off.
See Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1 for more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned on.
SeeExterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1 for more information.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a
reminder to turn off the turn signal
if you drive your vehicle for more
than about 1.2 km (0.75 mile) with a
turn signal on. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑4.
This message displays and a chime
sounds only when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. The message will not
disappear until the turn signal is
manually turned off, or a turn is
completed.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays if there has been
a problem detected with ESC. The
ESC/TCS light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑32 andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light on page 5‑21 for more
information.
If this message turns on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon
as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the
ignition off and then back on. 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.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
5-34 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this message
displays when the system is not
functioning properly. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light on page 5‑21. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑30 for more information.
Have the TCS serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING
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 9‑32 for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays when the ESC is
turned off manually. See Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑32 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 9‑30 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 9‑30 for
more information.
.The battery is low.
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 9‑30 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 5‑14 for
more information.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
5-38 Instruments and Controls
The customization preferences are
automatically recalled.
To change customization
preferences, use the following
procedure.
Entering the Feature
Settings Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and placethe vehicle in P (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the
battery, it is recommended that
the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the customization button to enter the feature
settings menu.
If the menu is not available,
FEATURE SETTINGS
AVAILABLE IN PARK will
display. Before entering the
menu, make sure the vehicle is
in P (Park).
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following are customization
features that allow you to program
settings to the vehicle:
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH
This feature will only display if a
language other than English has
been set. This feature allows you to
change the language in which the
DIC messages appear to English.
Press the customization button until
the PRESS
VTO DISPLAY IN
ENGLISH screen appears on the
DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to display all DIC
messages in English.
DISPLAY LANGUAGE
This feature allows you to select
the language in which the DIC
messages will appear. Press the customization button until
the DISPLAY LANGUAGE screen
appears on the DIC display. Press
the set/reset button once to access
the settings for this feature. Then
press the customization button to
scroll through the following settings:
ENGLISH (default):
All messages
will appear in English.
FRANCAIS: All messages will
appear in French.
ESPANOL: All messages will
appear in Spanish.
NO CHANGE: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-45
3. Immediately return to thevehicle. Press and hold the
Universal Home Remote button
that will be used to control the
garage door until the garage
door moves. The indicator light,
above the selected button,
should slowly blink. This button
may need to be held for up to
20 seconds.
4. Immediately, within one second, release the button when the
garage door moves. The
indicator light will blink rapidly
until programming is complete.
5. Press and release the same button again. The garage door
should move, confirming that
programming is successful and
complete.
To program another Rolling Code
device such as an additional garage
door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat
Steps 1 through 5, choosing a different function button in Step 3
than what was used for the garage
door opener.
If these instructions do not work,
the garage door opener is probably
a Fixed Code unit. Follow the
Programming instructions that follow
for a Fixed Code garage door
opener.
Programming Universal Home
Remote
—Fixed Code
For questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote
System, call 1-866-572-2728 or go
to www.learcar2u.com.
Most garage door openers sold
before 1996 are Fixed Code units.
Programming a garage door opener
involves time-sensitive actions, so
read the entire procedure before
starting. Otherwise, the device will
time out and the procedure will have
to be repeated.To program up to three devices:
1. To verify that the garage door
opener is a Fixed Code unit,
remove the battery cover on the
hand held transmitter supplied
by the manufacturer of the
garage door opener motor.
If there are a row of dip switches
similar to the graphic above, the
garage door opener is a Fixed
Code unit. If you do not see a
row of dip switches, return
to the previous section for
Programming Universal Home
Remote –Rolling Code.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-1
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1
Headlamp High/Low-BeamChanger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic Headlamp
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-4
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Delayed Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . 6-7
Delayed Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Battery Load Management . . . . 6-8
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . 6-8
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
.Headlamps
.Taillamps
.Parking Lamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Fog Lamps (If Equipped)

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
6-2 Lighting
The exterior lamps control has four
positions:
O(Off):Turns off the automatic
headlamps and Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL). Turning the headlamp
control to the off position again will
turn the automatic headlamps or
DRL back on. For vehicles first sold
in Canada, the off position only
works when the vehicle is shifted
into the P (Park) position.
AUTO (Automatic): Automatically
turns on the headlamps at normal
brightness, together with the
following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
;(Parking Lamps): Turns on
the parking lamps together with the
following:
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps): Turns on the
headlamps together with the
following lamps listed below. When
the headlamps are turned on while
the vehicle is on, the headlamps will
turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. When
the headlamps are turned on while
the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
stay on for 10 minutes before
automatically turning off to prevent
the battery from being drained. Turn
the headlamp control to off and then
back to the headlamp on position to
make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
.Parking Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
#(Fog Lamps) (If Equipped):
Turns on the fog lamps.
See Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam, push the turn
signal/multifunction lever away
from you.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on if the high‐beam
lamps are turned on while the
ignition is in ON/RUN.
To change the headlamps from high
beam to low beam, pull the turn
signal lever toward you.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
6-8 Lighting
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery's temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage
for best performance and extended
life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the
voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fastenough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might bedisplayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE. If this messages
displays, it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as
much as possible. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑24.
Battery Power Protection
This feature helps prevent the
battery from being drained, if the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map
lamps, visor vanity lamps, or trunk
lamp are accidentally left on. If any
of these lamps are left on, they
automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off. The
lamps will not come back on again
until one of the following occurs:
.The ignition is turned on.
.The exterior lamps control is
turned off, then on again.
The headlamps will time out after
10 minutes, if they are manually
turned on with the ignition on or off.