Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
158 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park 0155 and
Engine Exhaust 0157.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0189.Automatic
Transmission
P : This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
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)
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 0155.
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 is
on. 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 0156.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
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Driving and Operating 159
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 0147.
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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
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.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
M : This position allows you to
change gears similar to a manual
transmission. If the vehicle has this
feature, see Manual Mode 0160.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
162 Driving and Operating
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB
is only partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the
Yor
PARK light is flashing. See your
dealer. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 0105. If the
8light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Yor PARK
light remains on. If the
8light
remains on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pressed. If the switch is pressed
until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 3. Press the EPB switch
momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
Y
or PARK light is off.
If the
8light is on, release the EPB
by pressing and holding the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the
Yor PARK 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
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
Driving and Operating 163
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake
pedal applications due to
emergency braking situations and
provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate
ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal
movement during this time may
occur. Continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
You may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving0141.
When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
temporarily prevents the vehicle
from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition from
brake pedal release to accelerator
pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is
applied or automatically release
after a few seconds. The brakes
may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA to
hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade
for HSA to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel slip and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
164 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0147
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC is on the center console,
behind the shift lever.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
Driving and Operating 165
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. To turn
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g. The Traction
Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off
light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 200.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If equipped with the Traction Control
System (TCS), the system may
begin to limit wheel spin while you
are using cruise control. If this
happens, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0163. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0178. When
road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, the cruise control can
be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control disengages.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
168 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see“Alerting the Driver” in
this section. Complete attention is
always required while driving and
you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0141.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
The system may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Keep the
entire front of the vehicle
clean.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow
conditions. ACC
performance is limited under
these conditions.
. On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive
wheel slip.
]:Press to turn the system on or
off. A white Adaptive Cruise Control
indicator comes on. +RES :
Press briefly to resume the
previous set speed or hold to
accelerate. If ACC is already active,
use to increase vehicle speed.
SET– :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate ACC. If ACC is
already active, use to decrease
vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage ACC
without erasing the selected set
speed.
GAP : Press to select a following
gap time (or distance) setting for
ACC of Far, Medium, or Near.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If the cruise system is on but not in
use, it could get set and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control button off when cruise
is not being used.
Select the set speed desired for
cruise. This is the vehicle speed
when no vehicle is detected in
its path.
ACC will not set or resume at a
speed less than 25 km/h (16 mph).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13688912) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
170 Driving and Operating
.Press and hold SET– until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, briefly press
SET–. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 5 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 096.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Selecting the Follow Distance Gap
When a slower moving vehicle is
detected ahead within the selected
following gap, ACC will adjust the
vehicle's speed and attempt to
maintain the follow distance gap
selected.
Press GAP on the steering wheel to
adjust the following gap. When
pressed, the current gap setting
displays briefly on the instrument
cluster. Subsequent presses cycle the gap
button through three settings: Far,
Medium, or Near. The gap setting
will be maintained until it is
changed.
Since each gap setting corresponds
to a following time (Far, Medium,
or Near), the following distance will
vary based on vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle speed, the further
back your vehicle will follow a
vehicle detected ahead. Consider
traffic and weather conditions when
selecting the following gap. The
range of selectable gaps may not be
appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions.
Changing the gap setting
automatically changes the alert
timing sensitivity (Far, Medium,
or Near) for the Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) feature. See
Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0178. Alerting the Driver
If ACC is engaged, driver action
may be required when ACC cannot
apply sufficient braking because of
approaching a vehicle too rapidly.
When this condition occurs, six red
lights will flash on the windshield
and eight beeps will sound from the
front.
See
Defensive Driving 0141.
Approaching and Following a
Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol is in
the DIC.