Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) 2012 Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual M In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3 Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17 Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (2,1) 2012 Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual M Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1 General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4 Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-24 Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28 Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Introduction The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle model names, and vehicle body designs appearing in this manual including, but not limited to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, IMPALA, and the IMPALA Emblem are trademarks and/or service marks of General Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 iv Black plate (4,1) Introduction Using this Manual To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Danger, Warnings, and Cautions Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or reduce them. { WARNING These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Introduction Vehicle Symbol Chart Here are some additional symbols that may be found on the vehicle and what they mean. For more information on the symbol, refer to the Index. 9 : Airbag Readiness Light # : Air Conditioning ! : Antilock Brake System (ABS) % : Audio® Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar $: Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System I : Cruise Control B : Engine Coolant Temperature O : Exterior Lamps # : Fog Lamps .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 vi Black plate (6,1) Introduction 2 NOTES
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) In Brief In Brief Instrument Panel Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Initial Drive Information Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-2 In Brief Instrument Panel Black plate (2,1)
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) In Brief A. Air Vents on page 8‑4. L. B. Remote Trunk Release Button. See Trunk on page 2‑9. M. Cruise Control on page 9‑30. C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑4. D. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑10. E. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6‑3. F. Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑23. Steering Wheel Adjustment on page 5‑2. N. Hood Release. See Hood on page 10‑5. O.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-4 Black plate (4,1) In Brief Press L and hold for more than two seconds to sound the panic alarm. Press L again to cancel the panic alarm. See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3. Remote Vehicle Start Press K to unlock the driver door. Press again within five seconds to unlock all remaining doors. Press Q to lock all doors. Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) In Brief Door Locks Trunk Release Manual Locks To open the trunk from the outside, press V on the RKE transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3. From outside the vehicle, use the key in the door or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to lock or unlock the vehicle. From the inside, pull up or push down on the manual door lock knobs. 1-5 Windows Or, use the key in the lock cylinder, if equipped.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-6 Black plate (6,1) In Brief Seat Adjustment Manual Seats To adjust the seatback, see “Manual Reclining Seatbacks” under Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑5. See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑4. Power Reclining Seatback Power Seats To adjust a manual seat: 1. Lift the bar under the front edge of the seat cushion to unlock the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar. 3.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) In Brief Manual Lumbar Second Row Seats 1-7 Safety Belts On vehicles with the flip and fold feature, the bottom seat cushions can be flipped forward and the seatback folded down to create an extended cargo area. The vehicle also has an under seat storage area. See Rear Seats (Split Folding) on page 3‑8. Move the lever up or down to increase or decrease lumbar support. See Lumbar Adjustment on page 3‑4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-8 Black plate (8,1) In Brief Passenger Sensing System The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver airbags, seat‐side impact airbags, and roof‐rail airbags are not affected by this. The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) In Brief Interior Mirror Vehicles with a manual rearview mirror can be adjusted by holding the mirror in the center to move it for a clearer view behind the vehicle. Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind. Pull the lever, located at the bottom of the mirror for nighttime use. Return the lever to its original position for the day position.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-10 Black plate (10,1) In Brief Map Lamps The vehicle has map lamps on the rearview mirror. Push the button near each lamp to turn the map lamps on and off. For more information on interior lighting, see: . Instrument Panel Illumination Control on page 6‑5. . Courtesy Lamps on page 6‑5. Exterior Lighting P : Briefly turn to this position to manually turn the automatic lamp control and Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) off or on.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) In Brief 6: Turn the band up for more frequent wipes or down for less frequent wipes. 6 : Slow wipes. ? : Fast wipes. 1-11 Climate Controls This vehicle may have a dual or single climate control system. The heating, cooling, defrost, defog, and ventilation can be controlled with either of these systems. Windshield Washer Push the paddle L at the top of the lever to spray washer fluid on the windshield. See Windshield Wiper/Washer on page 5‑4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-12 Black plate (12,1) In Brief Single Zone A. Fan Control E. Air Delivery Mode Control B. Outside Air F. C. Temperature Control G. Rear Window Defogger D. Recirculation See Climate Control Systems on page 8‑1.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) In Brief 1-13 f : Select radio stations. © ¨ : Seek or scan stations. 4 : For vehicles with RDS, press to Vehicle Features Radio(s) display additional text information related to the current FM-RDS or XM station; or CD, MP3, or WMA song. If information is available during XM or CD playback, the song title information displays on the top line of the display and artist information displays on the bottom line.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-14 Black plate (14,1) In Brief station frequency tabs and by using the radio FAV button. Press FAV to go through up to 6 pages of favorites, each having 6 favorite stations available per page. Each page of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM stations. For radios without a FAV button, up to 18 stations (6 FM1, 6 FM2, and 6 AM), can be programmed on the 6 numbered buttons. See Operation on page 7‑2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) In Brief Bluetooth® Steering Wheel Controls For vehicles with a Bluetooth system, it allows users with a Bluetooth‐enabled cell phone to make and receive hands-free calls using the vehicle’s audio system and controls. c / x : Press to go to the previous radio station stored as a favorite, the next track if a CD is playing, reject an incoming call, or end a current call. SRCE: Press to choose between the radio, CD, and auxiliary input jack.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-16 Black plate (16,1) In Brief Cruise Control +RES: Press briefly to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed, or press and hold to accelerate. SET−: Press to set the speed and activate cruise control or make the vehicle decelerate. [ : Press to disengage cruise control without erasing the set speed from memory. For more information, see Cruise Control on page 9‑30. The cruise control buttons are located on the left side of the steering wheel.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) In Brief Performance and Maintenance Traction Control System (TCS) The vehicle may have a traction control system which limits wheel spin. The system turns on automatically every time the vehicle is started. . . For vehicles with traction control, press and release the ESC OFF button Y located on the instrument panel to turn off traction control. The appropriate DIC message displays. See Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑31.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-18 Black plate (18,1) In Brief During cooler conditions, the low tire pressure warning light may appear when the vehicle is first started and then turn off. This may be an early indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and the tires need to be inflated to the proper pressure. The TPMS does not replace normal monthly tire maintenance. It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressures. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 10‑41.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) In Brief . Keep vehicle tires properly inflated. . Combine several trips into a single trip. . . Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near the size. Follow recommended scheduled maintenance. Roadside Assistance Program U.S.: 1-800-243-8872 TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438 Canada: 1-800-268-6800 As the owner of a new Chevrolet, you are automatically enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 1-20 Black plate (20,1) In Brief 2 NOTES
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Keys, Doors, and Windows Doors Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Vehicle Security Keys and Locks Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-2 Black plate (2,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows If you are locked out of your vehicle, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 13‑5 for more information. Keys and Locks Keys With an active OnStar subscription, an OnStar Advisor may remotely unlock the vehicle. See OnStar Overview on page 14‑1. { WARNING Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows when Q is pressed again within five seconds. See Vehicle Personalization on page 5‑35 for additional information. If there is a decrease in the RKE operating range: . Check the distance. The transmitter may be too far from the vehicle. . Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. . Check the transmitter's battery. See “Battery Replacement” later in this section. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-4 Black plate (4,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows V (Remote Trunk Release): Press and hold for about one second to open the trunk. The transmission must be in P (Park). L (Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release to locate the vehicle. The turn signal lamps flash and the horn sounds three times. Press and hold L for more than two seconds to activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps flash and the horn sounds repeatedly for 30 seconds.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows 3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery. doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles. 4. Snap the transmitter back together. Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-6 Black plate (6,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle. Ignition Positions on page 9‑15 for information regarding the ignition positions on your vehicle. The engine will shut off automatically after 10 minutes, unless a time extension has been done or the vehicle's key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to ON/RUN.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows WARNING (Continued) Power Door Locks injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock the vehicle whenever leaving it. . To lock or unlock the driver side door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. To lock or unlock the door from the inside, push or pull the manual lock knob. to unlock the doors when the system is armed. See Anti-theft Alarm System on page 2‑11.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-8 Black plate (8,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Personal Choice Programming The delayed locking feature can be turned on or off, using the Driver Information Center (DIC) to program this feature. See “DELAY DOOR LOCK” under Vehicle Personalization on page 5‑35. Automatic Door Locks The doors will automatically lock when the shift lever is moved out of P (Park). The automatic door locking feature cannot be disabled.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows To open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the following: Doors 1. Unlock the door by using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle has one, by pressing the power door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door manual lock. Trunk 2. Open the door from the outside. To cancel the rear door security lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside. 2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-10 Black plate (10,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Remote Trunk Release Emergency Trunk Release Handle Notice: Do not use the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk as it could damage the handle. The emergency trunk release handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling them to open the trunk from the inside. To open the trunk from the inside, press V. See Trunk on page 2‑9.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Vehicle Security This vehicle has theft-deterrent features; however, they do not make it impossible to steal. Anti-theft Alarm System Your vehicle may have the optional content theft-deterrent alarm system. To activate the theft-deterrent system: 1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-12 Black plate (12,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Immobilizer See Radio Frequency Statement on page 13‑15 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry Canada Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310. Immobilizer Operation This vehicle has PASS-Key® III+ (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows To program the new additional key: 1. Verify that the new key has a 1 stamped on it. 2. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see your dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and remove the key. 4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-14 Black plate (14,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Power Mirrors 2. Press one of the four buttons located on the control pad to move the mirror to the desired direction. Interior Mirrors 3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the area behind it can be seen. Adjust the inside rearview mirror for a clear view of the area behind your vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside rearview mirror. Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates each time the ignition is turned to start. O (On/Off): Press to turn the dimming feature on or off.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-16 Black plate (16,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Power Windows To lower the window, press and hold the front of the switch to the first position until the window is at the desired level. To raise the window, pull up and hold the front of the switch. { WARNING Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is dangerous for many reasons. Children or others could be badly injured or even killed.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Window Lockout Sun Visors o (Window Lockout): The driver window switches also include a lockout switch. Press the right side of the switch to prevent the rear passengers from using their window switches. The driver can still control all the windows and the front passenger can control their own window with the lockout on. Press the left side of the switch to return to normal window operation.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 2-18 Black plate (18,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows The sunroof can only be operated when the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑18. Q (Vent/Express-Open): Press this switch once to vent the sunroof when it is closed. When using the vent, the sunshade should be fully opened. The sunshade can be opened or closed manually by sliding it rearward or forward.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Seats and Restraints Seats and Restraints Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-18 Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18 Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-18 Airbag System Head Restraints Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Front Seats Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . Lumbar Adjustment . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-2 Black plate (2,1) Seats and Restraints Front Seats Head Restraints The vehicle's front seats have adjustable head restraints in the outboard seating positions. { WARNING With head restraints that are not installed and adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that occupants will suffer a neck/ spinal injury in a crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants are installed and adjusted properly.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Seats and Restraints restraint down. Try to move the head restraint after the button is released to make sure that it is locked in place. The front seat outboard head restraints are not designed to be removed. Rear Seats The vehicle's rear seat has head restraints in the outboard seating positions that cannot be adjusted. The rear seat outboard head restraints are not designed to be removed.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-4 Black plate (4,1) Seats and Restraints Center Seat Power Seat Adjustment Lumbar Adjustment Manual Lumbar The vehicle may have a front center seat. There are cupholders on the underside of the seat cushion. To use them, flip the seat cushion forward. The seat can also be used as a storage area by lowering the seatback. See Center Console Storage on page 4‑2. The seatback doubles as an armrest for the driver or front passenger when the center seat is unoccupied.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Seats and Restraints Reclining Seatbacks { WARNING Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job. WARNING (Continued) For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear the safety belt properly. The shoulder belt will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-6 Black plate (6,1) Seats and Restraints To return the seatback to the upright position: Power Reclining Seatbacks 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position. 2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked. To recline a manual seatback: 1. Lift the lever. 2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to lock the seatback in place. 3.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Seats and Restraints Heated Front Seats Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the heated seat will change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The lights indicate two for the highest setting and one for the lowest. { WARNING If you cannot feel temperature change or pain to the skin, the seat heater may cause burns even at low temperatures.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-8 Black plate (8,1) Seats and Restraints Rear Seats Rear Seats (Split Folding) Flip and Fold Feature On vehicles with this feature, the seat cushions flip forward and the seatbacks fold down to create an extended flat cargo area. To flip the seat cushion and fold the seatback: 1. Make sure the front seats are not reclined. The seat cushion will not flip forward completely if the front seats are reclined. 2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Seats and Restraints To return the seats to the normal position: { WARNING If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked. 1. Raise the seatback and make sure it latches.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-10 Black plate (10,1) Seats and Restraints Safety Belts This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly. It also describes some things not to do with safety belts. { WARNING Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, injuries can be much worse than if you are wearing safety belts.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Seats and Restraints safety belts. That is why wearing safety belts makes such good sense. Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be— whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. Your chance of being conscious during and after a crash, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-12 . Black plate (12,1) Seats and Restraints Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash. { WARNING You can be seriously injured, or even killed, by not wearing your safety belt properly. . Never allow the lap or shoulder belt to become loose or twisted. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Seats and Restraints Engaging the child restraint locking feature in the right front seating position may affect the passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑26. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 3‑17. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary. 4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-14 Black plate (14,1) Seats and Restraints Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 3‑11. To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Seats and Restraints Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners activate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, and probably other new parts for the vehicle's safety belt system. See Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash on page 3‑18. 3-15 Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt: 1. Pull the guide out from the pocket on the edge of the seatback.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-16 Black plate (16,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described previously in this section.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Seats and Restraints Lap Belt This section is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear a lap-shoulder belt, see Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑12. Buckle, position, and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. The vehicle may have a center seating position. When you sit in the center front seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-18 Black plate (18,1) Seats and Restraints Safety System Check Safety Belt Care Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer to have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Seats and Restraints See your dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑14.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-20 Black plate (20,1) Seats and Restraints Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: { WARNING You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are your only restraint.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Seats and Restraints 3-21 Where Are the Airbags? There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑14 for more information. The driver frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-22 Black plate (22,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar The seat‐mounted side impact airbags for the driver and right front passenger are in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door. The roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger, and second row outboard passengers are in the ceiling above the side windows.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Seats and Restraints When Should an Airbag Inflate? Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver's or right front passenger's head and chest. However, they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-24 Black plate (24,1) Seats and Restraints Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inflate in rollovers or rear impacts. A seat-mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Both roof-rail airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Seats and Restraints Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts. What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for some time after they deploy.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-26 Seats and Restraints Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. . . Black plate (26,1) Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Seats and Restraints The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger seat. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the right front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the correct child restraint for their weight and size.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-28 Black plate (28,1) Seats and Restraints The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag if: . The right front passenger seat is unoccupied. . The system determines that an infant is present in a child restraint. . A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time. . Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Seats and Restraints If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle. 3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers. 4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-30 Black plate (30,1) Seats and Restraints system to detect that person and enable the right front passenger frontal airbag: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers. 3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position. 4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended. 5.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Seats and Restraints The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat. If this is not desired, remove the object from the seat. { WARNING Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or between the passenger seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-32 Black plate (32,1) Seats and Restraints In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position, which includes sensors that are part of the passenger's seat. The passenger sensing system may not operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a different vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Seats and Restraints Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See your dealer for service. { WARNING If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started or comes on when you are driving, the airbag system may not work properly. Have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑14. A crash can damage the airbag systems in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-34 Seats and Restraints The manufacturer's instructions that come with the booster seat state the weight and height limitations for that booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt until the child passes the fit test below: . Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bend at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. . Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Seats and Restraints WARNING (Continued) { WARNING Never allow a child to wear the safety belt with the shoulder belt behind their back. A child can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, the child would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. (Continued) The child could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. The child might also slide under the lap belt.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-36 Black plate (36,1) Seats and Restraints Airbags plus lap‐shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle's safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate child restraints.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Seats and Restraints Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child's weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-38 Black plate (38,1) Seats and Restraints Child Restraint Systems (B) Forward-Facing Child Seat (A) Rear‐Facing Infant Seat A rear-facing infant seat (A) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child's body with the harness.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Seats and Restraints Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle { WARNING A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Secure the child restraint properly in the vehicle using the vehicle safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that child restraint and the instructions in this manual.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-40 Black plate (40,1) Seats and Restraints Where to Put the Restraint According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the frontal airbags if they inflate. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in a rear seat. Do not use child restraints in the center front seat position.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-42 Black plate (42,1) Seats and Restraints When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Seats and Restraints Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some child restraints that have a top tether are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-44 Black plate (44,1) Seats and Restraints Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System { WARNING Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Seats and Restraints Notice: Do not let the LATCH attachments rub against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments. Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt buckled. This could damage the safety belt or the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its stowed position, before folding the seat. 1.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-46 Black plate (46,1) Seats and Restraints . If the position you are using has a fixed headrest and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint. . If you are using a single tether in the center seating position without a headrest, route the single tether over the seatback. . If you are using a dual tether in the center seating position without a headrest, route the dual tether over the seatback. 3.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (47,1) Seats and Restraints Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) { WARNING When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle. A crash can damage the LATCH system in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-48 Black plate (48,1) Seats and Restraints 3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary. 4. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. When the retractor lock is set, the belt can be tightened but not pulled out of the retractor. 5.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (49,1) Seats and Restraints 6. If the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer's instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑41 for more information. 7. Before placing a child in the child restraint, make sure it is securely held in place.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-50 Black plate (50,1) Seats and Restraints A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. { WARNING A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (51,1) Seats and Restraints 3-51 You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 3-52 Black plate (52,1) Seats and Restraints Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6. 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt, and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Storage Storage Storage Compartments Storage Compartments Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunglasses Storage . . . . . . . . . . Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Console Storage . . . . . . 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-2 4-2 Additional Storage Features Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 4-2 Black plate (2,1) Storage Rear Storage Center Console Storage For vehicles with a split folding rear seat, there are two storage areas underneath. Pull the tab(s) located by the passenger side safety belt buckle and the driver side rear seat to access the storage areas. See Rear Seats (Split Folding) on page 3‑8 for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Instruments and Controls Instruments and Controls Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2 Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3 Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8 Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-2 Black plate (2,1) Instruments and Controls Fuel System Messages . . . . . . Key and Lock Messages . . . . . Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Airbag System Messages . . . . Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service Vehicle Messages . . . Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transmission Messages . . . . . Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Instruments and Controls Steering Wheel Controls w (Next): Press to go to the next radio station stored as a favorite, or the next track if a CD is playing. SRCE (Source): Press to choose between the radio (AM, FM, XM), CD, and auxiliary input jack. c / x (Previous/End): + e − e (Volume): Press to increase or to decrease the radio volume.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-4 Black plate (4,1) Instruments and Controls Windshield Wiper/Washer 6 (Low Speed): Slow wipes. ? (High Speed): Fast wipes. Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades should be replaced. See Wiper Blade Replacement on page 10‑23. Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Instruments and Controls Compass This vehicle may have a compass in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Compass Zone Your dealer will set the correct zone for your location. Under certain circumstances, such as during a long distance cross-country trip or moving to a new state or province, it will be necessary to compensate for compass variance by resetting the zone through the DIC if the zone is not set correctly.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-6 Black plate (6,1) Instruments and Controls It is suggested to calibrate away from tall buildings, utility wires, manhole covers, or other industrial structures, if possible. To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure: If CAL should ever appear in the DIC display, the compass should be calibrated. 1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure the compass zone is set to the variance zone in which the vehicle is located.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Instruments and Controls 2. To increase or decrease the time, do one of the following while the hours or minutes are flashing: . f knob. ¨ SEEK or © SEEK. . Press \ FWD or s REV. Press the H button again until . 3. Turn the Press the clock display stops flashing to set the currently displayed time, or wait five seconds until the flashing stops and the current time displayed is automatically set.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-8 Black plate (8,1) Instruments and Controls 2. Press the pushbutton located under the desired option. 3. Press the H or MENU button again to apply the selected default, or let the screen time out. Power Outlets The vehicle has three 12‐volt outlets which can be used to plug in electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Instruments and Controls Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is heating does not let the lighter back away from the heating element when it is hot. Damage from overheating can occur to the lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it is heating. To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-10 Black plate (10,1) Instruments and Controls Instrument Cluster English Uplevel Shown, Base and Metric Similar
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Instruments and Controls Speedometer Tachometer The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in both kilometers per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph). The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). Odometer The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven in either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers (used in Canada). This vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-12 Black plate (12,1) Instruments and Controls Here are four things that some owners ask about. None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge: . At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gauge reads full. . It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gauge indicated. For example, the gauge may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or less than half the fuel tank's capacity to fill the tank. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Instruments and Controls Safety Belt Reminders Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light 5-13 Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light There is a driver safety belt reminder light on the instrument panel cluster. English This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gauge pointer moves toward the “H” (United States) or torward the shaded thermostat (Canada), it means that the engine coolant has overheated.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-14 Black plate (14,1) Instruments and Controls The front passenger safety belt reminder light and chime may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic device. To turn off the reminder light and/or chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the safety belt. Airbag Readiness Light The system checks the airbag's electrical system for possible malfunctions.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Instruments and Controls If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag. Canada When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds as a system check.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-16 Black plate (16,1) Instruments and Controls problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Instruments and Controls To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle: . Reduce vehicle speed. . Avoid hard accelerations. . Avoid steep uphill grades. . If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible. If the light continues to flash, stop and park the vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-18 Instruments and Controls The vehicle may not pass inspection if: . . Black plate (18,1) The malfunction indicator lamp is on with the engine running, or if the light does not come on when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN while the engine is off. See your dealer for assistance in verifying proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Instruments and Controls { WARNING The brake system might not be working properly if the brake system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to a crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has been pulled off the road and carefully stopped, have the vehicle towed for service. Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light The Antilock Brake System (ABS) light comes on briefly when the engine is started.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-20 Black plate (20,1) Instruments and Controls Press and briefly hold the ESC OFF button to turn off the ESC system; the ESC OFF light comes on and a message displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑31 for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Instruments and Controls If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer. If the system is working normally the indicator light goes off. Notice: Driving with the engine coolant temperature warning light on could cause the vehicle to overheat. See Engine Overheating on page 10‑15. The vehicle's engine could be damaged, and it might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never drive with the engine coolant temperature warning light on.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-22 Black plate (22,1) Instruments and Controls Engine Oil Pressure Light { WARNING Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The engine can become so hot that it catches fire. Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon as possible and have the vehicle serviced. Notice: Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can damage the engine. Driving with the engine oil low can also damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Instruments and Controls For information regarding this light and the vehicle's security system, see Anti-theft Alarm System on page 2‑11. Front Fog Lamp Light Information Displays Driver Information Center (DIC) High-Beam On Light The fog lamp light comes on when the fog lamps are in use. The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off. See Fog Lamps on page 6‑4 for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-24 Black plate (24,1) Instruments and Controls If your vehicle has these features, the DIC also displays the compass direction and the outside air temperature when viewing the trip and fuel information. The compass direction appears on the top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air temperature automatically appears in the bottom right corner of the DIC display.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Instruments and Controls Trip A and Trip B Press the trip/fuel button until TRIP A or TRIP B displays. This display shows the current distance traveled in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset for each trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the same time. Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by pressing the set/ reset button while the desired trip odometer is displayed.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-26 Black plate (26,1) Instruments and Controls 100 kilometers (L/100 km). This number is calculated based on the number of mpg (L/100 km) recorded since the last time this menu item was reset. To reset this display to zero, press and hold the set/reset button. Instantaneous Economy Press the trip/fuel button until INST ECONOMY displays. This display shows the current fuel economy at a particular moment and will change frequently as driving conditions change.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Instruments and Controls Units Press the vehicle information button until UNITS displays. This display allows you to select between English or Metric units of measurement. Once in this display, press the set/reset button to select between ENGLISH or METRIC units. add air to a specific tire will appear in the display. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑40 and Tire Messages on page 5‑33 for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-28 Black plate (28,1) Instruments and Controls Battery Voltage and Charging Messages BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE This message displays when the system detects that the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable level. The battery saver system starts reducing certain features of the vehicle that you may be able to notice. At the point that the features are disabled, this message is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to save the charge in the battery.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Instruments and Controls TRUNK OPEN This message displays when the trunk is not closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed completely. See Trunk on page 2‑9. Engine Cooling System Messages ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning) OFF This message displays when the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-30 Black plate (30,1) Instruments and Controls Engine Oil Messages CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON This message displays when service is required for the vehicle. See your dealer. See Engine Oil on page 10‑7 and Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3 for more information. Acknowledging the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING. That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen under the vehicle information menu.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Instruments and Controls Key and Lock Messages TURN SIGNAL ON REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY This message displays as a reminder to turn off the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about 1.2 km (0.75 mile) with a turn signal on. See Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑4. This message displays when the battery in the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter needs to be replaced.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-32 Black plate (32,1) Instruments and Controls panel cluster. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/ Warning Light on page 5‑20. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 9‑27 for more information. Have the TCS serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Instruments and Controls A fault has been detected in the system which means that the system is disabled and it is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you may want to take the vehicle to your dealer before turning off the engine. See Immobilizer Operation on page 2‑12 for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-34 Black plate (34,1) Instruments and Controls TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), this message displays when the TPMS is re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Instruments and Controls Vehicle Reminder Messages Vehicle Personalization ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE Your vehicle has customization capabilities that allow you to program certain features to one preferred setting. Customization features can only be programmed to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-36 Black plate (36,1) Instruments and Controls Feature Settings Menu Items The following are customization features that allow you to program settings to the vehicle: DISPLAY IN ENGLISH This feature will only display if a language other than English has been set. This feature allows you to change the language in which the DIC messages appear to English. Press the customization button until the PRESS V TO DISPLAY IN ENGLISH screen appears on the DIC display.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Instruments and Controls ALL IN PARK (default): All of the doors will unlock when the vehicle is shifted into P (Park). for this feature. Then press the customization button to scroll through the following settings: NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature. The current setting will remain. HORN & LIGHTS OFF: There will be no feedback when you press the lock button on the RKE transmitter.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-38 Black plate (38,1) Instruments and Controls LIGHTS ON (default): The exterior lamps will flash when you press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter. NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature. The current setting will remain. To select a setting, press the set/ reset button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Instruments and Controls The lights will remain on for 20 seconds or until the lock button on the RKE transmitter is pressed, or the vehicle is no longer off. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3 for more information. NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature. The current setting will remain. To select a setting, press the set/ reset button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-40 Black plate (40,1) Instruments and Controls Press the customization button until FACTORY SETTINGS appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button once to access the settings for this feature. Then press the customization button to scroll through the following settings: If you do not exit, pressing the customization button again will return you to the beginning of the FEATURE SETTINGS menu.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Instruments and Controls This system provides a way to replace up to three remote control transmitters used to activate devices such as garage door openers, security systems, and home automation devices. Do not use this system with any garage door opener that does not have the stop and reverse feature. This includes any garage door opener model manufactured before April 1, 1982. 5-41 erased when the vehicle is sold or the lease ends.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-42 Black plate (42,1) Instruments and Controls that will be used to control the garage door until the garage door moves. The indicator light, above the selected button, should slowly blink. This button may need to be held for up to 20 seconds. 2. In the garage, locate the garage door opener receiver (motor-head unit). Locate the “Learn” or “Smart” button.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Instruments and Controls 5-43 Your hand-held transmitter can have between 8 to 12 dip switches depending on the brand of transmitter. To program up to three devices: 1. To verify that the garage door opener is a Fixed Code unit, remove the battery cover on the hand held transmitter supplied by the manufacturer of the garage door opener motor.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-44 Black plate (44,1) Instruments and Controls The switch positions on the hand-held transmitter could be labeled, as follows: . A switch in the up position could be labeled as “Up,” “+,” or “On.” . A switch in the down position could be labeled as “Down,” “−,” or “Off.” . A switch in the middle position could be labeled as “Middle,” “0,” or “Neutral.” 2. Write down the 8 to 12 switch settings from left to right as follows: .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Instruments and Controls 4. The indicator lights will blink slowly. Enter each switch setting from Step 2 into your vehicle's Universal Home Remote. You will have two and one-half minutes to complete Step 4. Now press one button on the Universal Home Remote for each switch setting as follows: . If you wrote “Left,” press the left button in the vehicle. . If you wrote “Right,” press the right button in the vehicle. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 5-46 Black plate (46,1) Instruments and Controls Universal Remote System Operation Erasing Universal Home Remote Buttons Press and hold the appropriate button for at least half of a second. The indicator light will come on while the signal is being transmitted. The programmed buttons should be erased when the vehicle is sold or the lease ends. Reprogramming Universal Home Remote Buttons Any of the three buttons can be reprogrammed by repeating the instructions.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Lighting Lighting Exterior Lighting Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-3 Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 6-2 Lighting The exterior lamps control has four positions: O (Off): Turns off the automatic headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). Turning the headlamp control to the off position again will turn the automatic headlamps or DRL back on. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off position only works when the vehicle is shifted into the P (Park) position. AUTO (Automatic): Automatically turns on the headlamps at normal brightness, together with the following: . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Lighting Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic Headlamp System Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada. The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when the following conditions are met: . The ignition is in the ON/RUN position. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 6-4 Black plate (4,1) Lighting When the hazard warning flashers are on, the turn signals will not work. Turn and Lane-Change Signals Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is completed. If the lever is briefly pressed and released, the turn signal flashes three times. The lever returns to its starting position whenever it is released.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Lighting Press # to turn the fog lamps on or off. A light will come on in the instrument panel cluster. When the headlamps are changed to high beam, the fog lamps also go off. Interior Lighting Instrument Panel Illumination Control Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps. 6-5 Courtesy Lamps When a door is opened, the courtesy lamps automatically come on.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 6-6 Black plate (6,1) Lighting Dome Lamps Reading Lamps Lighting Features Entry Lighting For vehicles with courtesy lamps, they come on and stay on for a set time whenever the unlock symbol is pressed on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. The center mounted dome lamp overhead comes on when a door is opened. This lamp can also be turned on by turning the instrument panel brightness control clockwise.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Lighting 6-7 When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive, which means the courtesy lamps will not come on unless a door is opened. Delayed Exit Lighting Parade Dimming This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time after the key is removed from the ignition. Delayed Entry Lighting The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to work.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 6-8 Black plate (8,1) Lighting If the vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed. The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Infotainment System Infotainment System Introduction Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 7-2 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Introduction Infotainment Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the following pages to become familiar with its features.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-2 Black plate (2,1) Infotainment System Theft-Deterrent Feature Operation ® TheftLock is designed to discourage theft of the vehicle's radio by learning a portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The radio does not operate if it is stolen or moved to a different vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Infotainment System 7-3 4 (Information): Press to switch the display between the radio station frequency and the time. While the ignition is off, press this button to display the time. Speed Compensated Volume (SCV): Radios with the Speed Compensated Volume (SCV) feature automatically adjust the radio volume to compensate for road and wind noise as the vehicle speeds up or slows down, so that the volume level is consistent. To activate SCV: 1.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-4 Black plate (4,1) Infotainment System 4. Press the softkey under the desired Speed Compensated Volume setting (OFF, Low, Med, or High) to select the level of radio volume compensation. The display times out after approximately 10 seconds. Each higher setting allows for more radio volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Infotainment System EQ (Equalization): Press this button to choose bass and treble equalization settings designed for different types of music. Selecting MANUAL or changing bass or treble returns the EQ to the manual bass and treble settings. Unique EQ settings can be saved for each source. ® If the radio has a Bose audio system, the EQ settings are either MANUAL or TALK.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-6 Black plate (6,1) Infotainment System Radio AM-FM Radio Radio Data System (RDS) The radio may have RDS. The RDS feature is available for use only on FM stations that broadcast RDS information. This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and only works when the information is available. While the radio is tuned to an FM-RDS station, the station name or call letters display.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Infotainment System until a double beep sounds. The radio goes to a stored preset, plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next stored preset. Press © SEEK again to stop scanning preset stations. ¨ SEEK: Press to seek or scan stations with a strong signal in the selected band. . To seek stations, press and release ¨ SEEK to go to the next station and stay there. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-8 Black plate (8,1) Infotainment System 2. Press the FAV button to display the page where the station will be stored. Satellite Radio 3. Press and hold one of the 6 softkeys until a beep sounds. XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces. XM Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Infotainment System Finding an XM Channel BAND: Press to switch between AM, FM, or XM, if equipped. s REV: Press to go to the previous XM category. f (Tune): \ FWD: Press to go to the next XM category. © SEEK: Finding a Category (CAT) Channel Turn to manually select an XM channel. Press to go to the previous XM channel. . To scan stations, press and hold © SEEK for a few seconds until the radio beeps once.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-10 Black plate (10,1) Infotainment System 5. Repeat the steps to remove more categories. Storing XM Channels Drivers are encouraged to store radio station while the vehicle is parked. See Defensive Driving on page 9‑3. Tune to stored radio stations using the presets, favorites button, and steering wheel controls, if the vehicle has this feature.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Infotainment System Channel Unauth: This channel is blocked or cannot be received with your XM subscription package. Channel Unavail: This previously assigned channel is no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this station was one of the presets, choose another station for that preset button. No Artist Info: No artist information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-12 Black plate (12,1) Infotainment System interference or static, unplug the item from the accessory power outlet. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause station frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio reception, most AM radio stations boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce these levels during the night.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Infotainment System 7-13 load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris. window defogger. Repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not clear the inside rear window with sharp objects. Audio Players Notice: Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting with metallic film.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-14 Black plate (14,1) Infotainment System Inserting a Disc Insert the disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls it in and the disc begins playing. Use an adapter ring when playing the smaller 8 cm (3 in) discs. Smaller discs with the adapter ring are loaded the same way as a full-size disc. the player, the CD starts to play where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Infotainment System Softkeys The six softkeys below the radio display are used to control functions that display as tabs. The softkeys below the radio display control the following features. RDM (Random): Tracks can be listened to in random, rather than sequential order. contains both types of audio, the CD player reads all MP3 files first, then the uncompressed CD audio files. Supported File and Folder Structure The radio supports: .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-16 Black plate (16,1) Infotainment System Playing an MP3 Buttons and Knobs Order of Play The buttons and knobs on the radio control the following features. Tracks are played in the following order: . . Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist. When the last track of the last playlist has played, play continues from the first track of the first playlist.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Infotainment System Softkeys The six softkeys below the radio display are used to control functions that display as tabs. The softkeys below the radio display control the following features. S c (Previous Folder): Press the softkey below S c to go to the first track in the previous folder. c T (Next Folder): Press the softkey below c T to go to the first track in the next folder.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-18 Infotainment System CD Player Messages CHECK DISC: If an error message displays and/or the disc comes out, it could be for one of the following reasons: . . The CD player is very hot. When the temperature returns to normal, the disc should play. The road is very rough. When the road becomes smoother, the disc should play. . The disc is dirty, scratched, wet, or upside down. . The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Infotainment System Phone . Pair cell phone(s) to the vehicle. The system may not work with all cell phones. See “Pairing” in this section for more information. . If the cell phone has voice dialing capability, learn to use that feature to access the address book or contact list. See “Voice Pass-Thru” in this section for more information. . See “Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers” in this section for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-20 Black plate (20,1) Infotainment System When to Speak: A short tone sounds after the system responds indicating when it is waiting for a voice command. Wait until the tone and then speak. How to Speak: Speak clearly in a calm and natural voice. Audio System When using the in‐vehicle Bluetooth system, sound comes through the vehicle's front audio system speakers and overrides the audio system.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Infotainment System Pairing a Phone 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for 2. Say “Bluetooth.” This command can be skipped. 3. Say “Pair.” The system responds with instructions and a four‐digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN is used in Step 5. 4. Start the pairing process on the cell phone that you want to pair. For help with this process, see the cell phone manufacturer's user guide. 5.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-22 Black plate (22,1) Infotainment System Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers The system can store up to 30 phone numbers as name tags in the Hands‐Free Directory that is shared between the Bluetooth and OnStar systems, if equipped. The following commands are used to delete and store phone numbers. Store: This command will store a phone number, or a group of numbers as a name tag. Using the “Store” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for 2. Say “Store.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Infotainment System To delete all name tags: 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for Digit Dial: This command allows a phone number to be dialed by entering the digits one at a time. Listing Stored Numbers Re‐dial: This command is used to dial the last number used on the cell phone. The list command will list all stored numbers and name tags. Using the “Dial” or “Call” Command Using the “List” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. 2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-24 Black plate (24,1) Infotainment System Using the “Re‐dial” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for . Press b / g again to return to the original call. . To ignore the incoming call, no action is required. . Press c / x to disconnect the current call and switch to the call on hold. 2. After the tone, say “Re‐dial.” Once connected, the person called will be heard through the audio speakers.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Infotainment System Transferring Audio from the Bluetooth System to a Cell Phone To access contacts stored in the cell phone: During a call with the audio in the vehicle: 1. Press and hold two seconds. 1. Press b / g. 2. Say “Transfer Call.” Transferring Audio to the Bluetooth System from a Cell Phone During a call with the audio on the cell phone, press b / g. The audio transfers to the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 7-26 Infotainment System Other Information The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth® SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by General Motors is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. See Radio Frequency Statement on page 13‑15 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry Canada Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Climate Controls 8-1 Climate Controls Climate Control Systems Climate Control Systems This vehicle may have a dual or single climate control system. The heating, cooling, defrost, defog and ventilation can be controlled with this system. For vehicles with heated seats, see Heated Front Seats on page 3‑7. Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1 Air Vents Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 8-2 Black plate (2,1) Climate Controls If the airflow seems low when the fan is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. There will be some airflow noticeable from the various outlets when driving, even with the fan in the off position. For more information, see Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 8‑5 and Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3. Single Zone A. Fan Control B. Outside Air C. Temperature Control D.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Climate Controls 6 (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets, with some of the air directed to the windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the system automatically selects outside air. - (Defog): This mode clears the windshield of fog or moisture. Air is directed equally to the windshield and the floor outlets.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 8-4 Black plate (4,1) Climate Controls This mode helps to quickly heat or cool the air inside the vehicle once the temperature inside the vehicle is equal to or better than the outside temperature. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering the vehicle. The recirculation mode is not available in outside air, floor, defog, or defrost modes. If the button is selected while in these modes, the indicator flashes three times.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Climate Controls . . If the airflow seems low when the fan is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter, if equipped, may need to replaced. For more information, see Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 8‑5 and Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3. If fogging reoccurs while in vent or bi-level modes with mild temperature throughout the vehicle, turn on the air conditioner to reduce windshield fogging.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 8-6 Climate Controls 5. Lift the air inlet grille and disconnect the washer hose at the quick-connect. 6. Remove the air inlet grille. 7. Remove the water deflector plate. 8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter. 9. Reverse the steps to install the new air filter. For best climate control system performance, reinstall the air filter. For the type of filter to use, see Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 11‑12.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Driving and Operating Driving and Operating Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21 Engine Exhaust Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2 Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Braking . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-2 Driving and Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms and can take your focus from the task of driving. Exercise good judgment and do not let other activities divert your attention away from the road. Many local governments have enacted laws regarding driver distraction. Become familiar with the local laws in your area. To avoid distracted driving, always keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Driving and Operating Defensive Driving Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear the safety belt. See Safety Belts on page 3‑10. . 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. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-4 Black plate (4,1) Driving and Operating 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. Curve Tips . Take curves at a reasonable speed. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Driving and Operating 2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. 3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight 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. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-6 Black plate (6,1) Driving and Operating 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.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Driving and Operating Other driving tips include: . Keep the vehicle well ventilated. . Keep the interior temperature cool. . Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead and to the sides. . Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments often. Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include: .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-8 Black plate (8,1) Driving and Operating Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slick, so there is even less traction. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Driving and Operating WARNING (Continued) . Adjust the climate control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index. For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 9‑21. Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (Carbon Monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-10 Black plate (10,1) Driving and Operating Rocking the Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Driving and Operating positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds. The vehicle capacity weight includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory‐installed options. The Tire and Loading Information label also lists the tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-12 Black plate (12,1) Driving and Operating Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 A. Maximum Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs) A. Maximum Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs) A. Maximum Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs) B. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 = 136 kg (300 lbs) B. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 5 = 340 kg (750 lbs) B.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Driving and Operating Refer to your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information label for specific information about your vehicle's maximum vehicle capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle's maximum vehicle capacity weight. Certification Label The label shows the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-14 Black plate (14,1) Driving and Operating { WARNING Things inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. . . Put things in the cargo area of the vehicle. In the cargo area, put them as far forward as possible. Try to spread the weight evenly. Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats. (Continued) .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Driving and Operating . Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Trailer Towing on page 9‑42 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break‐in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. Ignition Positions To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be applied.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-16 Black plate (16,1) Driving and Operating 4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑27 { 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, turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY. The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Driving and Operating not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts. The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects components.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-18 Black plate (18,1) Driving and Operating Engine Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm‐up in cold weather conditions at or below −18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting. To Use the Engine Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Driving and Operating Shifting Into Park { WARNING It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-20 Black plate (20,1) Driving and Operating If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. See Parking Brake on page 9‑27 for more information. Torque Lock Shifting out of Park Console Shift Automatic Transmission Shift Lock If the console shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park): The vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Driving and Operating 2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See Ignition Positions on page 9‑15 for more information. 3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the N (Neutral) position. 4. Move the vehicle to a safe location. If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park), consult your dealer or a professional towing service. Engine Exhaust { WARNING Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-22 Black plate (22,1) Driving and Operating Running the Vehicle While Parked It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. { WARNING Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Driving and Operating WARNING (Continued) P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use 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) Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-24 Black plate (24,1) Driving and Operating N (Neutral): 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. Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed. { 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.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Driving and Operating Manual Mode Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. When using the ERS mode a number will display next to the L, indicating the current range that has been selected. To use this feature: 1. Move the shift lever to L (Low). 2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-26 Black plate (26,1) Driving and Operating Brakes Antilock Brake System (ABS) This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid. When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Driving and Operating Parking Brake To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and push the parking brake pedal. When you lift your foot off the parking brake pedal, the pedal will follow it to the released position. A warning chime will sound and a brake warning light located on the instrument panel cluster will come on, if the parking brake is set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-28 Black plate (28,1) Driving and Operating The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but this is normal. If cruise control is being used when TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. Cruise control may be reengaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 9‑30. The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever positions.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Driving and Operating Electronic Stability Control (ESC) For more information, see Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑31. Your vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which combines antilock brake, traction, and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-30 Black plate (30,1) Driving and Operating The traction control system can be turned off or back on by pressing the ESC OFF button. To disable both traction control and ESC, press and hold the button briefly. When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION CONTROL OFF message will appear, the STABILITRAK OFF message will appear, and the ESC OFF light will be on solid to warn the driver that both traction control and ESC are disabled.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Driving and Operating control automatically turns off . See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 9‑27. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, the cruise control can be turned back on. +RES (Resume/Accelerate): Press briefly to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed, or press and hold to accelerate. SET–: Press to set the speed and activate cruise control or make the vehicle decelerate. 4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-32 Driving and Operating Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control If the cruise control system is already activated: . . Press and hold the +RES button on the steering wheel until the desired speed is reached, then release it. To increase vehicle speed in small increments, press the +RES button. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster. Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control If the cruise control system is already activated: .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Driving and Operating 9-33 Fuel Recommended Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-34 Black plate (34,1) Driving and Operating Gasoline Specifications (U.S. and Canada Only) California Fuel Requirements Fuels in Foreign Countries At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB‐3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of gasolines containing MMT.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Driving and Operating Fuel Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing the emission control system to work properly. In most cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-36 Black plate (36,1) Driving and Operating Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Recommended Fuel on page 9‑33. We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that are designed to use it.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Driving and Operating Filling the Tank { WARNING { WARNING Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from fuel.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-38 Black plate (38,1) Driving and Operating the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑16. The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not properly installed. See Fuel System Messages on page 5‑30 for more information. { WARNING If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Driving and Operating 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. vehicle such as a motor home, see Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 10‑66. . . . For information on driving while towing a trailer, see “Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-40 Black plate (40,1) Driving and Operating Driving with a Trailer Following Distance Making Turns Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Get to know the rig before setting out for the open road. Get acquainted with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Driving and Operating When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. For this reason you may think other drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working. Driving on Grades Notice: Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding 9.6 km (6 miles).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-42 Black plate (42,1) Driving and Operating Maintenance When Trailer Towing Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a trailer. See Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3 for more information. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, belts, cooling system and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these before and during the trip.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Driving and Operating Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. The following information has many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for the safety of the driver and the passengers. So please read this section carefully before pulling a trailer.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-44 Black plate (44,1) Driving and Operating Total Weight on the Vehicle's Tires Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires. These numbers can be found on the Certification/Tire label. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10. Make sure not to go over the GVW limit for the vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Driving and Operating Always leave just enough slack so the rig can turn. Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. Conversions and Add-Ons Trailer Brakes Add-On Electrical Equipment Because the vehicle has antilock brakes, do not try to tap into the vehicle's hydraulic brake system. If you do, both brake systems will not work well, or at all.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 9-46 Black plate (46,1) Driving and Operating 2 NOTES
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Vehicle Care Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 10-3 10-3 10-3 Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4 Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-2 Black plate (2,1) Vehicle Care When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47 Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48 Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49 Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51 Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-51 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Vehicle Care 10-3 California Proposition 65 Warning California Perchlorate Materials Requirements Accessories and Modifications Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, many fluids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-4 Black plate (4,1) Vehicle Care 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.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Vehicle Care 10-5 Hood 3. Lift the hood. To open the hood, do the following: Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly. 1. Pull the interior hood release handle with this symbol on it. It is located to the left of the parking brake pedal. 2.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-6 Vehicle Care Engine Compartment Overview Black plate (6,1)
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Vehicle Care A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on page 10‑18. G. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View. See Cooling System on page 10‑12. B. Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 10‑29. H. Transmission Fluid Cap. See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10‑10. C. Battery on page 10‑21. D. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap. See Power Steering Fluid on page 10‑17. E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil on page 10‑7. F.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-8 Black plate (8,1) Vehicle Care 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 yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑6 for the location of the engine oil dipstick. Obtaining an accurate oil level reading is essential: 1.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Vehicle Care Specification Viscosity Grade Use and ask for licensed engine oils with the dexos1™ approved certification mark. Engine oils meeting the requirements for the vehicle should have the dexos1 approved certification mark. This certification mark indicates that the oil has been approved to the dexos1 specification. SAE 5W‐30 is the best viscosity grade for the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-10 Black plate (10,1) Vehicle Care Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on a combination of factors which include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Vehicle Care Contact your dealer for additional information or the procedure can be found in the service manual. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 13‑11 Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3, and be sure to use the fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑11.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-12 Black plate (12,1) Vehicle Care 6. Fasten the clips on the top of the housing to lock the cover in place. When it is safe to lift the hood: Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you can be burned. { WARNING Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop flames if the engine backfires.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Vehicle Care Engine Coolant With plain water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get too hot but you would not get the overheat warning. The engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Depending on the engine, use a 50/50 mixture of deionized water or clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. The following explains the cooling system and how to check and add coolant when it is low.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-14 Black plate (14,1) Vehicle Care Checking Coolant The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking the coolant level. Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the mark pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of deionized water or clean drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Vehicle Care The coolant surge tank pressure cap can be removed when the cooling system, including the surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. 1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left. 2. Keep turning the cap and remove it. 3.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-16 Black plate (16,1) Vehicle Care If Steam Is Coming from the Engine Compartment If the overheat warning displays with no sign of steam: See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on page 10‑16 for information on driving to a safe place in an emergency. 1. Turn the air conditioning off. If No Steam Is Coming from the Engine Compartment If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam can be seen or heard, the problem might not be too serious.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Vehicle Care The temperature gauge also indicates an overheat condition exists. Driving extended km (miles) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should be avoided. Power Steering Fluid See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑6 for information on the location of the power steering fluid reservoir.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-18 Black plate (18,1) Vehicle Care What to Use . Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if it is completely full. . Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in the windshield washer. It can damage the windshield washer system and paint. To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑11.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Vehicle Care 10-19 The brake wear warning sound means that soon the brakes will not work well. That could lead to a crash. When the brake wear warning sound is heard, have the vehicle serviced. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required. If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-20 Vehicle Care There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down: . . Black plate (20,1) The brake fluid level goes down because of normal brake lining wear. When new linings are installed, the fluid level goes back up. A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Vehicle Care . If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately. Battery Refer to the replacement number shown on the original battery label when a new battery is needed. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑6 for battery location.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-22 Black plate (22,1) Vehicle Care If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact your dealer for service. 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. Firmly apply the parking brake.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Vehicle Care . 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. covered by your warranty. Do not allow the wiper arm to touch the windshield. To replace the windshield wiper blade: 1. Pull the wiper assembly away from the windshield.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-24 Black plate (24,1) Vehicle Care Headlamp Aiming Bulb Replacement Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment. For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see Replacement Bulbs on page 10‑28. However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming drivers flash their high-beam headlamps at you (for vertical aim).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Vehicle Care To replace one of these bulbs: 10-25 5. Remove the round dust caps to gain access to the bulbs. 1. Open the hood. See Hood on page 10‑5. 6. Turn the old bulb counterclockwise and remove it from the retaining ring by pulling it away from the headlamp. 7. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by raising the lock tab and pulling the connector away from the bulb's base. 3. Pull up on the plastic headlamp retainer and remove it.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-26 Black plate (26,1) Vehicle Care 11. Push the headlamp assembly toward the vehicle. 12. Push down on the plastic headlamp retainer to reinstall it. 13. Reinstall the screw from the headlamp assembly.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Vehicle Care Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps 10-27 To replace one of these bulbs: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9. 2. Remove the convenience net (if equipped). Unhook the net from the upper wing nut. 5. Turn the two hex nuts counterclockwise to remove them. 6. Pull out the taillamp assembly and disconnect the wiring harness. A. Rear Sidemarker Lamp B. Back-up Lamp C. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn Signal 3.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-28 Black plate (28,1) Vehicle Care License Plate Lamp To replace one of these bulbs: Replacement Bulbs Exterior Lamp Back-Up Front Parking/Turn Signal License Plate Lamp Electrical System Bulb Number 921LL 3157NAK 194LL Headlamps 1. Remove the two screws (A) from the license plate lamp assembly. 2. Pull the lamp assembly down and turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and out of the lamp assembly. 3. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket. 4.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Vehicle Care Headlamp Wiring An electrical overload may cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off. Have the headlamp wiring checked right away if the lamps go on and off or remain off. Windshield Wipers If the wiper motor overheats due to heavy snow or ice, the windshield wipers will stop until the motor cools and will then restart.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-30 Black plate (30,1) Vehicle Care Fuses The vehicle may not have all of the fuses, relays, and features shown.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Vehicle Care Fuses Usage CHMSL/ BCK-UP Center High-Mounted Stoplamp, Back-up Lamp DISPLAY Display DRL 1 Fuses FAN 1 Usage Fuses Cooling Fan 1 10-31 Usage LT LO BEAM Driver Side Low-Beam Headlamp LT PARK Driver Side Parking Lamp LT SPOT Left Spot LT T/SIG Driver Side Turn Signal Lamp ONSTAR OnStar PWR DROP/ CRANK Power Drop, Crank RADIO Audio System FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2 FOG LAMPS Fog Lamps (If Equipped) Daytime Running La
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-32 Black plate (32,1) Vehicle Care Fuses Usage Relay Usage RT PARK Passenger Side Parking Lamp A/C CMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor RT SPOT Right Spot FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1 RT T/SIG Passenger Side Turn Signal Lamp FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2 RVC SEN Regulated Voltage Control Sensor STRG WHL Steering Wheel STRTR Starter TRANS Transmission VACUUM/ PUMP Vacuum Pump WPR Wiper WSW Windshield Wiper FAN 3 Cooling Fan 3 VAC/PUMP Vacuum Pump PWR/T
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Vehicle Care Fuses Usage DR/LCK Door Locks HTD/SEAT Heated Seats PWR/MIR Power Mirrors PWR/SEAT Power Seats PWR/WNDW Power Window The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses, relays, and features shown.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-34 Black plate (34,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING . Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. . Overloading the tires can cause overheating as a result of too much flexing. There could be a blowout and a serious crash. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10. . . Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. The resulting crash could cause serious injury. Check all tires frequently to maintain the recommended pressure.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Vehicle Care and service description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this section for more detail. (B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria Specification): Original equipment tires designed to GM's specific tire performance criteria have a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-36 Black plate (36,1) Vehicle Care gone flat. If the vehicle has a compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on page 10‑61 and If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10‑53. (C) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and numbers following the DOT (Department of Transportation) code are the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was manufactured.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Vehicle Care (C) Aspect Ratio: A two‐digit number that indicates the tire height‐to‐width measurements. For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide. (D) Construction Code: A letter code is used to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-38 Black plate (38,1) Vehicle Care Curb Weight: The weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but without passengers and cargo. DOT Markings: A code molded into the sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Vehicle Care outward when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering, or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper than the same moldings on the other sidewall of the tire. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-40 Black plate (40,1) Vehicle Care Vehicle Capacity Weight: The number of designated seating positions multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs) plus the rated cargo load. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10. Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire: Load on an individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight, occupant weight, and cargo weight.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Vehicle Care When to Check Check the tires once a month or more. Do not forget the compact spare tire, if the vehicle has one. The cold compact spare should be at 420 kPa (60 psi). For additional information regarding the compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on page 10‑61. How to Check Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. Proper tire inflation cannot be determined by looking at the tire.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-42 Black plate (42,1) Vehicle Care As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under‐inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Vehicle Care Tire Pressure Monitor Operation This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the tires and transmit the tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-44 Vehicle Care TPMS Malfunction Light and Message The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the system detects a malfunction, the low tire pressure warning light flashes for about one minute and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message also displays. The malfunction light and DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the problem is corrected.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Vehicle Care using a TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for service or to purchase a relearn tool. There are two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer, the matching process stops and must be restarted.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-46 Black plate (46,1) Vehicle Care . The tire has a bump, bulge, or split. . The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that cannot be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage. See When It Is Time for New Tires on page 10‑47 and Wheel Replacement on page 10‑51. Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10‑43. Check that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (47,1) Vehicle Care 10-47 conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance affect how fast aging takes place. Tires will typically need to be replaced due to wear before they may need to be replaced due to age. Consult the tire manufacturer for more information on when tires should be replaced. WARNING (Continued) In an emergency, a cloth or a paper towel can be used; however, use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-48 Black plate (48,1) Vehicle Care Buying New Tires GM has developed and matched specific tires for the vehicle. The original equipment tires installed were designed to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) system rating. When replacement tires are needed, GM strongly recommends buying tires with the same TPC Spec rating.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (49,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Using bias-ply tires on the vehicle may cause the wheel rim flanges to develop cracks after many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could fail suddenly and cause a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the wheels on the vehicle. If the vehicle tires must be replaced with a tire that does not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating, and construction (radial) as the original tires.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-50 Black plate (50,1) Vehicle Care For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by treadwear, traction, and temperature performance. This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (51,1) Vehicle Care Temperature – A, B, C The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-52 Black plate (52,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts can be dangerous. It could affect the braking and handling of the vehicle. Tires can lose air, and cause loss of control, causing a crash. Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (53,1) Vehicle Care If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blow out while driving, especially if the tires are maintained properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly. But if there ever is a blowout, here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-54 Black plate (54,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over or fall causing injury or death. Find a level place to change the tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: When the vehicle has a flat tire (B), use the following example as a guide to assist in the placement of the wheel blocks (A). 3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (55,1) Vehicle Care 10-55 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 5. Remove the compact spare tire. This vehicle may have aluminum wheels with exposed wheel nuts. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet. Or, this vehicle may have steel wheels with plastic covers. A. Jack 6. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the jack and wrench. B. Extension and Protection Guide C.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-56 Black plate (56,1) Vehicle Care If needed, finish loosening them with your fingers. The plastic nut caps will not come off. If needed, use the flat end of the wheel wrench and pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off. The edge of the wheel cover could be sharp, so do not try to remove it with your bare hands. Do not drop the cover or lay it face down, as it could become scratched or damaged.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (57,1) Vehicle Care 4. Put the compact spare tire near you. { WARNING Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack. { WARNING Raising the vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damage the vehicle and even make the vehicle fall.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-58 Black plate (58,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after time. The wheel could come off and cause an accident. When changing a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, a cloth or a paper towel can be used; however, use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt. 7.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (59,1) Vehicle Care 10-59 { WARNING 10. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely. Wheel nuts that are improperly or incorrectly tightened can cause the wheels to become loose or come off. The wheel nuts should be tightened with a torque wrench to the proper torque specification after replacing. Follow the torque specification supplied by the aftermarket manufacturer when using accessory locking wheel nuts.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-60 Black plate (60,1) Vehicle Care Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools { WARNING Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. After the compact spare tire has been installed on the vehicle, store the flat tire in the trunk.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (61,1) Vehicle Care C. Compact Spare Tire C. Protective Guide D. Wing Nut D. Extension Bolt Screw E. Jack E. Wing Nut F. F. Wheel Wrench Jack G. Extension Protector G. Wheel Wrench H. Foam Holder H. Foam Holder I. I. Bolt Screw 10-61 Bolt Screw Compact Spare Tire If this is a police vehicle, see “Compact Spare Tire” in the Impala Police Package Supplement for compact spare tire information. { WARNING Full-Size Flat Tire A. Retainer B.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-62 Black plate (62,1) Vehicle Care Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 420 kPa (60 psi). After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire is correctly inflated.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (63,1) Vehicle Care Notice: Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to the vehicle that would not be covered by the warranty. Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it will not work, and it could damage the vehicle. The jump start positive is located in the engine compartment under the engine compartment fuse block cover on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-64 Black plate (64,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if you need more light. { WARNING Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running. 7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to the negative (–) terminal of the good battery (C).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (65,1) Vehicle Care 10-65 8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to an unpainted heavy metal engine part (D) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles: 9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine at idle speed for at least four minutes. 2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 10.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-66 Black plate (66,1) Vehicle Care Towing Towing the Vehicle Notice: To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed with all four wheels off the ground. Care must be taken with vehicles that have low ground clearance and/or special equipment. Always flatbed on a car carrier. Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle must be towed. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 13‑5.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (67,1) Vehicle Care Dinghy Towing Dolly Towing 10-67 2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly. 3. Shift the transmission to P (Park). 4. Firmly set the parking brake. 5. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position. 6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-68 Black plate (68,1) Vehicle Care Appearance Care Exterior Care Washing the Vehicle To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it often and out of direct sunlight. Notice: Do not use petroleum based, acidic, or abrasive cleaning agents as they can damage the vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic parts. If damage occurs, it would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (69,1) Vehicle Care 10-69 detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause wiper streaking. a tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray from all painted surfaces on the vehicle. For aluminum, never use auto or chrome polish, steam, or caustic soap to clean. A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-70 Black plate (70,1) Vehicle Care Notice: To avoid surface damage, do not use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. Use only approved cleaners. Also, never drive a vehicle with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. Damage could occur and the repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (71,1) Vehicle Care furnishings can also permanently transfer color to the vehicle's interior. interior, maintain adequate ventilation by opening the doors and windows. Use a soft bristle brush to remove dust from knobs and crevices on the instrument cluster. Using a mild soap solution, immediately remove hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect repellant from all interior surfaces or permanent damage may result.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-72 Vehicle Care Fabric/Carpet Start by vacuuming the surface using a soft brush attachment. If a rotating brush attachment is being used during vacuuming, only use it on the floor carpet. Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as possible using one of the following techniques: . . Black plate (72,1) Gently blot liquids with a paper towel. Continue blotting until no more soil can be removed.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (73,1) Vehicle Care Do not use cleaners that increase gloss, especially on the instrument panel. Reflected glare can decrease visibility through the windshield under certain conditions. Notice: Use of air fresheners may cause permanent damage to plastics and painted surfaces. If an air freshener comes in contact with any plastic or painted surface in the vehicle, blot immediately and clean with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 10-74 Vehicle Care Use the following guidelines for proper floor mat usage. . Black plate (74,1) Removing and Replacing the Floor Mat The original equipment floor mats were designed for your vehicle. If the floor mats need replacing, it is recommended that GM certified floor mats be purchased. Non-GM floor mats may not fit properly and may interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal. Always check that the floor mats do not interfere with the pedals. .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Service and Maintenance Service and Maintenance General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3 Special Application Services Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 Additional Maintenance and Care Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-2 Service and Maintenance Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep the vehicle in good working condition, improves fuel economy, and reduces vehicle emissions. Because of the way people use vehicles, maintenance needs vary. There may need to be more frequent checks and services. The Additional Required Services ‐ Normal are for vehicles that: . Black plate (2,1) Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits on the Tire and Loading Information label.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Service and Maintenance Maintenance Schedule Owner Checks and Services At Each Fuel Stop . Check the engine oil level. See Engine Oil on page 10‑7. Once a Month . Check the tire inflation pressures. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑40. . Inspect the tires for wear. See Tire Inspection on page 10‑45. . Check the windshield washer fluid level. See Washer Fluid on page 10‑18.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-4 Black plate (4,1) Service and Maintenance . Check tire inflation pressures. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑40. . Visually inspect fuel system for damage or leaks. . Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection on page 10‑45. . Visually inspect exhaust system and nearby heat shields for loose or damaged parts. . Visually check for fluid leaks. . Inspect engine air cleaner filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑11. Lubricate body components.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Service and Maintenance 11-5
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-6 Black plate (6,1) Service and Maintenance Footnotes — Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services — Normal a) Or every two years, whichever comes first. More frequent replacement may be needed if the vehicle is driven in areas with heavy traffic, areas with poor air quality, or areas with high dust levels. Replacement may also be needed if there is a reduction in air flow, excessive window fogging, or odors.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Service and Maintenance 11-7
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-8 Black plate (8,1) Service and Maintenance Footnotes — Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services — Severe Special Application Services Additional Maintenance and Care a) Or every two years, whichever comes first. . Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis components every 5 000 km/ 3,000 mi. . Have underbody flushing service performed once a year.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Service and Maintenance . . To avoid break‐down or failure to start the vehicle, maintain a battery with full cranking power. Trained dealer technicians have the diagnostic equipment to test the battery and ensure that the connections and cables are corrosion‐free. Belts . . Belts may need replacing if they squeak or show signs of cracking or splitting. Trained dealer technicians can inspect the belts and recommend replacement when necessary.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-10 . Service and Maintenance As part of the multi‐point inspection, trained dealer technicians can visually inspect the shocks and struts for signs of leaking, blown seals, or damage, and can advise when service is needed. Tires Tires need to be properly inflated, rotated, and balanced. Maintaining the tires can save money, fuel, and can reduce the risk of tire failure. . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Service and Maintenance 11-11 Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer. Usage Engine Oil Engine Coolant Hydraulic Brake System Windshield Washer Fluid/Lubricant Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE viscosity grade.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-12 Black plate (12,1) Service and Maintenance Usage Fluid/Lubricant Hood and Door Hinges Weatherstrip Conditioning Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in Canada 10953474). Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 992887).
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Service and Maintenance 11-13 Maintenance Records After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the type of services performed in the boxes provided. Retain all maintenance receipts.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-14 Date Black plate (14,1) Service and Maintenance Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Service and Maintenance Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed 11-15
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 11-16 Date Black plate (16,1) Service and Maintenance Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Technical Data Technical Data Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 Vehicle Data Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 Engine Drive Belt Routing . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 12-2 Black plate (2,1) Technical Data Vehicle Data Capacities and Specifications The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑11 for more information. Application Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a Capacities Metric English For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Technical Data Engine Specifications Engine 3.6L V6 Engine Drive Belt Routing VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap 3 Automatic 1.10 mm (0.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 12-4 Black plate (4,1) Technical Data 2 NOTES
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Customer Information Customer Information Customer Information Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1 Customer Assistance Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . 13-4 Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . 13-4 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5 Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-2 Customer Information STEP TWO: If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot be resolved by your dealership without further help, in the U.S., call the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. In Canada, call General Motors of Canada Customer Care Centre at 1-800-263-3777 (English), or 1-800-263-7854 (French). We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order to give your inquiry prompt attention.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Customer Information STEP THREE — Canadian Owners: In the event that you do not feel your concerns have been addressed after following the procedure outlined in Steps One and Two, General Motors of Canada Limited wants you to be aware of its participation in a no-charge Mediation/Arbitration Program. General Motors of Canada Limited has committed to binding arbitration of owner disputes involving factory-related vehicle service claims.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-4 Black plate (4,1) Customer Information Canada General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Care Centre, Mail Code: CA1-163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 www.gm.ca 1-800-263-3777 (English) 1-800-263-7854 (French) 1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs)) Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800 Overseas Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit. Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Customer Information Other Helpful Links . Chevrolet — www.chevrolet.com Chevrolet Merchandise — www.chevymall.com Retrieve your favorite articles, quizzes, tips and multimedia galleries organized into the Features and Auto Care Sections. Help Center — www.chevrolet.com/ pages/mds/helpcenter/faq.do . Download the owner manual for your vehicle, quickly and easily. . FAQ . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-6 Customer Information Calling for Assistance When calling Roadside Assistance, have the following information ready: . Your name, home address, and home telephone number. . Telephone number of your location. . Location of the vehicle. . Model, year, color, and license plate number of the vehicle. . Odometer reading, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and delivery date of the vehicle. . Black plate (6,1) Description of the problem.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Customer Information . Towing or services for vehicles driven on a non-public road or highway. General Motors of Canada Limited requires pre-authorization, original detailed receipts, and a copy of the repair orders. Once authorization has been received, the Roadside Assistance advisor will help to make arrangements and explain how to receive payment. Services Specific to Canadian-Purchased Vehicles .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-8 Black plate (8,1) Customer Information Courtesy Transportation Program To enhance your ownership experience, we and our participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy Transportation, a customer support program for vehicles with the Bumper-to-Bumper (Base Warranty Coverage period in Canada), extended powertrain, and/or hybrid-specific warranties in both the U.S. and Canada.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Customer Information insurance coverage, credit card, etc. You are responsible for fuel usage charges and may also be responsible for taxes, levies, usage fees, excessive mileage, or rental usage beyond the completion of the repair. It may not be possible to provide a like vehicle as a courtesy rental. Additional Program Information All program options, such as shuttle service, may not be available at every dealer.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-10 Black plate (10,1) Customer Information Repair Facility GM also recommends that you choose a collision repair facility that meets your needs before you ever need collision repairs. Your dealer may have a collision repair center with GM-trained technicians and state‐of‐the‐art equipment, or be able to recommend a collision repair center that has GM-trained technicians and comparable equipment.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Customer Information Choose a reputable repair facility that uses quality replacement parts. See “Collision Parts” earlier in this section. If the airbag has inflated, see What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? on page 3‑25. Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process In the event that the vehicle requires damage repairs, GM recommends that you take an active role in its repair.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-12 Black plate (12,1) Customer Information Owner Information Current and Past Models Owner publications are written specifically for owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The Owner Manual includes the Maintenance Schedule for all models. Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available for current and past model GM vehicles. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and Warranty Booklet.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Customer Information However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or General Motors. Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-14 Black plate (14,1) Customer Information Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy This GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle’s performance and how it is driven.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Customer Information GM will not access this data or share it with others except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in response to an official request by police or similar government office; as part of GM's defense of litigation through the discovery process; or, as required by law.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 13-16 Black plate (16,1) Customer Information 2 NOTES
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) OnStar OnStar OnStar Overview OnStar Overview OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1 OnStar Services Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2 14-2 14-2 14-4 14-5 OnStar Additional Information OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 14-2 Black plate (2,1) OnStar Push ] to get a priority connection to an Emergency Advisor available 24/7 to: . Get help for an emergency. . Be a Good Samaritan or respond to an AMBER Alert. . Get crisis assistance and evacuation routes. OnStar Services Navigation Emergency OnStar navigation requires the Directions and Connections service plan.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) OnStar Using Voice Commands During a Planned Route Cancel Route 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready,” then a tone. Say “Cancel route.” System responds: “Would you like to cancel route directions to your destination?” 2. Say “Yes.” System responds: “OK, route canceled.” 3. Say “Goodbye.” Exits voice commands. Route Preview 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready,” then a tone. 2. Say “Route Preview.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 14-4 Black plate (4,1) OnStar Connections End a Call OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows calls to be made and received from the vehicle. The vehicle can also be controlled from a cell phone through the OnStar mobile app. See www.onstar.com for coverage maps. Push X. System responds: “Call ended.” Hands-Free Calling Store a Name Tag for Speed Dialing 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready.” 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready.” 2. Say “Store.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) OnStar Diagnostics OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics will perform a vehicle check every month. It will check the engine, transmission, antilock brakes, and major vehicle systems. It also checks the tire pressures, if the vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. If a diagnostics check is needed between e-mails, push Q, and an Advisor can run a check.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 14-6 Black plate (6,1) OnStar OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless service provider for service in that area, and the wireless service provider has coverage, network capacity, reception, and technology compatible with OnStar’s service. Service involving location information about the vehicle cannot work unless GPS signals are available, unobstructed, and compatible with the OnStar hardware.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) OnStar OnStar Personal Identification Number (PIN) A PIN is needed to access some of the OnStar services, like Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. You will be prompted to change the PIN the first time when speaking with an Advisor. To change the OnStar PIN, call OnStar and provide the Advisor with the current number. Warranty OnStar equipment may be warranted as part of the new-vehicle limited warranty.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 14-8 Black plate (8,1) OnStar Vehicle and Power Issues Privacy OnStar services require a vehicle electrical system, wireless service, and GPS satellite technologies to be available and operating for features to function properly. These systems may not operate if the battery is discharged or disconnected. The complete OnStar Privacy Statement may be found at www.onstar.com.
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) INDEX A Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3 Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18 Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45 Additional Information, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5 Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-11 Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-2 Black plate (2,1) INDEX B Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-28 Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-23 Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19 Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . .5-18 Brakes . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) INDEX Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . 13-9 Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-61 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Connections, OnStar® . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-4 Black plate (4,1) INDEX E E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36 Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45 Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32 Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) INDEX Fuel (cont'd) Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-37 Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . .9-34 Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . .9-34 Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11 Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-33 Requirements, California . . . . .9-34 System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30 Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-6 Black plate (6,1) INDEX Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35 Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii J Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 K Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-31 Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3 Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) INDEX Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41 Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 M Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-13 Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11 Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-16 Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-8 Black plate (8,1) INDEX Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16 Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-15 Overview, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1 P Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-19 Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-20 Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27 Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) INDEX Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2, 2-3 Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28 Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-33 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12 Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-33 Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-10 Black plate (10,1) INDEX Service (cont'd) Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 Parts Identification Label . . . . .12-1 Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-11 Scheduling Appointments . . . . .13-7 Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33 Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31 Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) INDEX Tires (cont'd) Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51 Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-51 When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46 Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . .9-39 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-44 General Information . . . . . . . . . .
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012 i-12 INDEX Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51 Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49 Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51 When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46 Where to Put the Restraint . . . . 3-40 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16 Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . .