Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Driving and Operating 161
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 Tires0248.
. 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.
{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 assist. 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.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Driving and Operating 209
2. Have someone place chocksunder 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 0293.
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? It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can
be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, the
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how much the vehicle is used
to pull a trailer are all important.
It can depend on any special
equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See
“Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” following.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming the tow vehicle has the
driver, a front seat passenger, all the
required tow equipment, and all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum trailer
weight.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices
0 309.
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
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
Vehicle Care 223
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on theright side of the steering wheel,
display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0125.
When remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message will appear on
the display.
2. Press
Von the DIC controls
and hold down for a few
seconds to clear the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
and reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil
life display accidentally at any
time other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0125.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds. The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off and the REMAINING
OIL LIFE message is displayed.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer
service department. Contact your
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
Service and Maintenance 297
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels, or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2)
Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
334 Index
AutomaticDimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
B
Battery
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Battery - North America . . . . 233, 276
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 235
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .119
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 167
Bulb Replacement Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 241
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .214, 233, 276,
Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . 101
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 100
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 117
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 82
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94, 96
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348316) -
2018 - CRC - 8/22/17
336 Index
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 178
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 120
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 243
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 217
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Engine (cont'd)
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 174
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 319
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 140
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 141 Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 223
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 197
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 59
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 123
Requirements, California . . . . . 202