
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Driving and Operating 211
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust 0174.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? State and local regulations
may require the trailer to have its
own braking system if loaded above
a certain threshold. Trailer brake
requirements vary from state to
state. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well or
at all
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0118.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Vehicle Care 213
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 214
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 215
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 222
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 224
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 229
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Battery - North America . . . . . . 233
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 234
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 235
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 235
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 236
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Electrical System Overload . . . 242
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 243
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 251
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Vehicle Care 215
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 079.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
0 316.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 079.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
218 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0220.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0220.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 225.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap. See Automatic Transmission Fluid
0223.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0232.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0225.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery - North America 0233.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 230.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0243.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
220 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0220.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0220.
4. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 225.
5. Engine Cover.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick (Out of View). See
Automatic Transmission Fluid
0223.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0232.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0225.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery - North America 0233.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 230.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0243.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 0222.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0217 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
228 Vehicle Care
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Vehicle Care 235
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.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
. To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
It is a good idea to clean the wiper
blade assembly on a regular basis.
When worn, or when cleaning is
ineffective, replace the wiper blade.
For proper windshield wiper blade
length and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0302.

Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Vehicle Care 239
To replace one of the headlamp
bulbs:1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 216.
2. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
3. Remove the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electricalconnector.
5. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise. 6. Install a new bulb in the lamp
assembly.
7. Connect the electrical connector.
8. Replace the cap on the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
9. For the driver side, reinstall the windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the underhood electrical
center retainer.
Uplevel Headlamp Assembly
The uplevel model vehicle has a
high intensity discharge (HID) high/
low-beam headlamp, a parking/turn
signal lamp, and a sidemarker lamp
on the headlamp assembly.
For replacement of the headlamp on
an HID assembly, contact your
dealer. See High Intensity
Discharge (HID) Lighting 0238.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
1. Sidemarker Lamp
2. Parking/Turn Signal Lamp
Front Turn Signal, Parking, and
Sidemarker Lamps
To replace one of these lamps on a
base or uplevel assembly:
1. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the socket.