2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA jump cable

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-22 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 10‑64 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑30.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts. 3. Try to start the engine in each
gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.

Black plate (64,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-64 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery on
page 10‑21.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
The jump start positive is located in
the engine compartment under the
engine compartment fuse block
cover on the passenger side of the
vehicle.
The jump start negative grounding
point is the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect to a
spot as far away from the
discharged battery as possible.
These locations are used instead of
a direct connection to the battery.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system. Notice:
Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑21.
Notice: If the radio or other
accessories are left on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories when
jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and switch off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-65
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to the jump
start positive (+) post (A). Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
6. Do not let the other end of the red positive (+) cable touch
metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery (B). Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-66 Vehicle Care
7. Connect one end of the blacknegative (–) cable to the
negative (–) terminal of the good
battery (C). Use a remote
negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step. The
other end of the negative (–)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (–) terminal
on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to an
unpainted heavy metal engine
part (D) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine
parts that move. 9. Start the engine in the vehicle
with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for at
least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Notice: If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (–)
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (–) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
To disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles:
1. Disconnect the blacknegative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead
battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle.
5. Return the caps over the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals to their original
positions.Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice: To avoid damage, the
disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the
ground. Care must be taken with
vehicles that have low ground
clearance and/or special
equipment. Always flatbed on a
car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑6.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in this
section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.