
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
212 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle: . Drive it only with the
windows completely down.
. Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park 0209 and
Engine Exhaust 0211.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0243.
Automatic
Transmission
P : This position locks the front
wheels. It is the best position to use
when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Driving and Operating 213
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0209.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
brake pedal then press the shift
lever button before you can shift
from P (Park) while the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into another
gear. See Shifting out of Park 0210.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0198.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D : This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
. Accelerating slowly or
maintaining a constant speed,
push the accelerator pedal about
halfway down.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
214 Driving and Operating
.Accelerating quickly or passing,
push the accelerator all the
way down.
M : This position allows you to
change gears similar to a manual
transmission. If the vehicle has this
feature, see Manual Mode 0214.
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
To use this feature, if equipped:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual Mode).
While driving in Manual Mode,
the transmission will remain in
the driver selected gear. When
coming to a stop in the manual
position, the vehicle will
automatically shift into
1 (First) gear.
2. Using the button on the shift lever, press the + (plus) end of
the button to upshift, or press
the−(minus) end of the button
to downshift. The Driver Information Center (DIC)
in the instrument cluster will change
from the currently displayed
message to the letter
“M,”for
Manual position, and a number
indicating the requested gear.
While using the DSC feature the
transmission will have firmer shifting
and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when
climbing hills to stay in gear longer
or to downshift for more power or
engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you
to shift into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm):
. The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next higher gear if
the vehicle speed or engine rpm
is too low.
. The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next lower gear if
the vehicle speed or engine rpm
is too high. Second Gear Start Feature
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift into
2 (Second) gear. A higher gear
allows you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.
With the DSC feature, the vehicle
can be set to pull away in
2 (Second) gear.
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) to M (Manual Mode).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press the + (plus) end of the button to
select 2 (Second) gear. The
vehicle will start from a stop
position in 2 (Second) gear.
3. Once moving, select the desired drive gear.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Driving and Operating 243
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0314. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0314.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to
trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/
or hilly conditions.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
System should be set to Off
when towing. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 023.
. Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0211.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
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Driving and Operating 245
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0265.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0326.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
. Weight of the trailer.
. Weight of the trailer tongue.
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 249
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 250
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 250
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 258
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 260
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 265
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Battery - North America . . . . . . 269
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 270
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 271
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 271
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 276
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Electrical System Overload . . . 277
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
254 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0260.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0256.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0256.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0261.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap. See Automatic Transmission
Fluid 0259.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0268.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0262.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery - North America 0269.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0266.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0278.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9921197) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
256 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0260.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0256.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0256.
4. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0261.
5. Engine Cover.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick (Out of View). See
Automatic Transmission
Fluid 0259.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0268.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0262.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery - North America 0269.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0266.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0278.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0258.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 253 for the location of the engine
oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all
the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and
check the level.