2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA flat tire

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-58 Vehicle Care
3. For all wheel types, find thejacking location using the
diagram above and the
corresponding jacking notches
located on the bottom side of the
plastic molding. The notches in
the plastic molding are marked
with a triangle shape to help you
find them.
The front location is about
17.7 cm (7.0 in) from the rear
edge of the front wheel well. The
rear location is about 11.4 cm
(4.5 in) from the front edge of the
rear wheel well. 4. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack you could
be badly injured or killed. Never
get under a vehicle when it is
supported only by a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-59
5. Raise the vehicle by turning thejack handle clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground to install the compact
spare tire.
6. Remove all wheel nuts and the flat tire.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel. 8. Install the compact spare tire.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
9. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the
rounded end of the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten each nut
clockwise by hand until the
wheel is held against the hub.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-61
Notice:Wheel covers will not fit
on the vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place. After the compact spare tire has
been installed on the vehicle, store
the flat tire in the trunk.
When storing a full-size tire, use the
extension with the extension
protector, located in the foam
holder, to help avoid wheel surface
damage.
To store a full-size tire:
1. Install the tools in their original
location in the trunk area and
secure.
2. Place the tire valve stem facing down and the protector/guide
placed through a wheel bolt hole
and threaded onto the bolt
screw. 3. Remove the protector and attach
the retainer securely
4. Store the cover as far forward as possible.
When storing a compact spare tire
in the trunk, put the protector back
in the foam holder.
The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. See Compact
Spare Tire on page 10‑63. Use this
as a guide for storing the compact
spare tire and tools.

Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-62 Vehicle Care
Compact Spare TireA. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Compact Spare Tire
D. Wing Nut
E. Jack
F. Wheel Wrench
G. Extension Protector
H. Foam Holder
I. Bolt ScrewFull-Size Flat Tire

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
A. Retainer
B. Full-Size Flat Tire
C. Protective Guide
D. Extension Bolt Screw
E. Wing Nut
F. Jack
G. Wheel Wrench
H. Foam Holder
I. Bolt Screw
Compact Spare Tire
If this is a police vehicle, see
“Compact Spare Tire”in the Impala
Police Package Supplement for
compact spare tire information.
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
Although the compact spare tire
was fully inflated when the vehicle
was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure
regularly. It should be 420 kPa
(60 psi).
After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, you should stop as
soon as possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inflated. The
compact spare is made to perform
well at speeds up to 105 km/h
(65 mph) for distances up to
5 000 km (3,000 mi), so you can
finish your trip and have the full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you
want. You must calibrate the tire
inflation monitor system after
installing or removing the compact
spare. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑43. The system may not work correctly when the
compact spare is installed on the
vehicle. Of course, it's best to
replace the spare with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. The spare will
last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.
Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel, and other parts of the
vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels or
tires. They will not fit. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑41.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑47.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑18.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑10.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑47.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑7 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑10.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑13.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑18.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑69. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑24.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Check tire inflation pressures.
SeeTire Pressure on
page 10‑41.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑47.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑11.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑69.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑19.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑69.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑22.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑22.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑23.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑23.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑18.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi‐point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money, fuel, and
can reduce the risk of tire failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For
information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see Interior Care on
page 10‑72 andExterior Care on
page 10‑69.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical for
ensuring that the tires deliver
optimal wear and performance.
.Signs that the alignment may
need to be adjusted include
pulling, improper vehicle
handling, or unusual tire wear.
.Your dealer has the required
equipment to ensure proper
wheel alignment.
Windshield
For safety, appearance, and the
best viewing, keep the windshield
clean and clear.
.Signs of damage include
scratches, cracks, and chips.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the windshield and
recommend proper replacement
if needed.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades need to be cleaned
and kept in good condition to
provide a clear view.
.Signs of wear include streaking,
skipping across the windshield,
and worn or split rubber.
.Trained dealer technicians can
check the wiper blades and
replace them when needed.