Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-7
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-18 Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-25
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-30
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . 9-35
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver AssistanceSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Active Emergency Braking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-55
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-15
The vehicle may have an electronic
keyless ignition with pushbutton
start.
Pressing the button cycles it through
three modes: ACC/ACCESSORY,
ON/RUN/START, and Stopping the
Engine/OFF.
The transmitter must be in the
vehicle for the system to operate.
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be near a
strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless Access
system. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2-3.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN and the brake pedal must
be applied.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/
OFF (No Indicator Lights): When
the vehicle is stopped, press the
ENGINE START/STOP button once
to turn the engine off. If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9-22.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Transmission Messages on
page 5-36. When the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park), the ignition
system will switch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to OFF. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in P (Park) to turn
the ignition switch to the OFF
position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9-29.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-17
Caution (Continued)
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
The key must be fully extended to
start the vehicle.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply the
brake pedal.
1 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/
OFF): When the vehicle is stopped,
turn the ignition switch to LOCK/
OFF to turn the engine off. Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9-22.
This is the only position from which
the key can be removed. This locks
the ignition and automatic
transmission. Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems, and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position. 4. Set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 9-29.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
2 (ACC/ACCESSORY): This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the ignition. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
the shift lever must be in P (Park).
3 (ON/RUN): The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
9-30 Driving and Operating
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
{Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-58.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Some vehicles have a Hill Start
Assist (HSA) feature, which may be
useful when the vehicle is stopped
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-43
Cleaning the Sensing System
The radar sensor on the front of the
vehicle can become blocked by
snow, ice, dirt, or mud. These areas
need to be cleaned for ACC to
operate properly.
For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing the Vehicle”under
Exterior Care on page 10-71.
System operation may also be
limited under snow, heavy rain or
road spray conditions.Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes
or reduce crash damage while
driving, backing, and parking. Read
this entire section before using
these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or see
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving
on page 9-3.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Under many conditions, these
systems will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals.
.Detect vehicles or objects
outside the area monitored by
the system.
.Work at all driving speeds.
.Warn you or provide you with
enough time to avoid a crash.
.Work under poor visibility or
bad weather conditions.
.Work if the detection sensor
is not cleaned or is covered
by ice, snow, mud, or dirt.
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes and/or steer
the vehicle to avoid crashes.
Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
9-44 Driving and Operating
Audible Alert
Some driver assistance features
alert the driver of obstacles by
beeping. To change the volume of
the warning chime, see“Comfort
and Convenience” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5-37.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing
If equipped, the Rear Vision Camera
(RVC), Rear Parking Assist (RPA),
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
may help the driver park or avoid
objects. Always check around the
vehicle when parking or backing.
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
When the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse), the RVC displays an
image of the area behind the vehicle
in the center stack display. The
previous screen displays when the
vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse)
after a short delay. To return to the
previous screen sooner, press a button on the infotainment system,
shift into P (Park), or reach a vehicle
speed of 8 km/h (5 mph).
1. View Displayed by the
Camera
1. View Displayed by theCamera
2. Corners of the Rear Bumper
Displayed images may be farther or
closer than they appear. The area
displayed is limited and objects that
are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper do not
display.
A warning triangle may display on
the RVC screen to show where the
Rear Parking Assist (RPA) has
detected an object. This triangle
changes from amber to red and
increases in size the closer the
object.
{Warning
The RVC system does not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object located outside the
camera's field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Perceived distances may be
(Continued)
Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-45
Warning (Continued)
different from actual distances.
Do not back the vehicle using
only the RVC screen. Failure to
use proper care before backing
may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Always check
behind and around the vehicle
before backing.
Parking Assist
With RPA, as the vehicle backs up
at speeds of less than 8 km/h
(5 mph), the sensors on the rear
bumper may detect objects up to
2.5 m (8 ft) behind the vehicle within
a zone 25 cm (10 in) high off the
ground and below bumper level.
These detection distances may be
shorter during warmer or humid
weather. Blocked sensors will not detect
objects and can also cause false
detections. Keep the sensors clean
of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush;
and clean sensors after a car wash
in freezing temperatures.
{Warning
The parking assist system does
not detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the
vehicle. It is not available at
speeds greater than 8 km/h
(5 mph). To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with
parking assist, always check the
area around the vehicle and
check all mirrors before moving
forward or backing.The instrument cluster may have a
parking assist display with bars that
show
“distance to object” and object
location information for RPA. As the
object gets closer, more bars light
up and the bars change color from
yellow to amber to red.
When an object is first detected in
the rear, one beep will be heard
from the rear. When an object is
very close (<0.6 m (2 ft) in the
vehicle rear), five beeps will sound
from the rear.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
If equipped, RCTA displays a red
warning triangle with a left or right
pointing arrow on the RVC screen to
warn of traffic coming from the left
Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7576026) -
2015 - crc 2nd edition - 8/21/14
9-46 Driving and Operating
or right. This system detects objects
coming from up to 20 m (65 ft) from
the left or right side of the vehicle.
When an object is detected, three
beeps sound from the left or right,
depending on the direction of the
detected vehicle.
Use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA
detection zones that extend out
from the back of the vehicle do not
move further back when a trailer is
towed.
Turning the Features On or Off
TheXbutton on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel is used to turn on or off the
Rear Parking Assist. The indicator
light next to the button comes on when the features are on and turns
off when the features have been
disabled.
Turn off RPA when towing a trailer.
To turn the rear parking assist
symbols or guidance lines on or off,
see
“Rear Camera” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5-37.
RCTA can also be turned on or off
through vehicle personalization. see
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-37.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle forward, Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), Lane Departure
Warning (LDW), Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA), and/or the Active
Emergency Braking System can
help to avoid a crash or reduce
crash damage.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield, and rapidly
beeps. FCA also lights an amber
visual alert if following another
vehicle much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph). If the
vehicle has Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC), it can detect vehicles to
distances of approximately 110 m
(360 ft) and operates at all speeds.
See Adaptive Cruise Control on
page 9-35.