Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Stop/Start System
The vehicle may have a fuel saving
stop/start system to shut off the
engine and help conserve fuel.
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When the
brake pedal is released or the
accelerator pedal pushed, the
engine will restart.
SeeStarting the Engine 0204.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (197 ft) away from the vehicle.
RKE with Remote Start Shown,
without Similar
Press the button to extend the key.
The key can be used for all locks.
This key is also used for the
ignition, if the vehicle does not have
pushbutton start.
K: Press to unlock the driver door
or all doors.
Q: Press to lock all doors. Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized.
Y:
Press and hold to release the
trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. Press and
hold for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. Press again
to cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys 028 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 030.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally after entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
Instruments and Controls 123
If a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeBrake
System Messages 0130.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady. If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light
0 121 andBrake System Messages
0 130.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
If equipped, this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced. This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 235.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0230.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
190 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 195
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 195
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 197
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 201
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 211
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 216
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 220
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 227 Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 228
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 233
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 238
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Trailer Towing (Bi-Fuel) . . . . . . . 244
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
192 Driving and Operating
Refer to the Infotainment section for
more information on using that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts
0 63.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time. Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
194 Driving and Operating
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
Racing, track testing, or competitive
driving may affect the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty manual
before using the vehicle for racing
or other competitive driving.
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving,
the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil 0255.
For the 2.5L L4 Engine Only: Add
and keep the oil level at 1 L (1 qt)
above the high mark when driving
under these conditions. For
information on how to check and
add oil, see Engine Oil0255
For the 3.6L Engine Only: Add and
keep the oil level at 0.5 L (0.5 qt)
above the high mark when driving
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 195
under these conditions. For
information on how to check and
add oil, seeEngine Oil0255.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0283.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
196 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line. .
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0216. .
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0213.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. If possible, use
Roadside Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0345. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9086448) -
2016 - CRC - 5/20/15
202 Driving and Operating
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 030.
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) 0208. 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 0137.
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 0214.
{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,
press and hold the ENGINE START/
STOP button for longer than
two seconds, or press twice in
five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
some electrical accessories to be
used when the engine is off.