Chevrolet 2009 Impala User manual

Seats and Restraint System ............................. 1-1
Head Restraints ......................................... 1-2
Front Seats ............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats .............................................. 1-10
Safety Belts ............................................. 1-13
Child Restraints ....................................... 1-34
Airbag System ......................................... 1-57
Restraint System Check ............................ 1-73
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys ........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks ....................................... 2-9
Windows ................................................. 2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-19
Mirrors .................................................... 2-32
OnStar
®
System ...................................... 2-33
Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-36
Storage Areas ......................................... 2-43
Sunroof .................................................. 2-44
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview .......................... 3-4
Climate Controls ...................................... 3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators ........ 3-24
Driver Information Center (DIC) .................. 3-42
Audio System(s) ....................................... 3-63
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle ....... 4-2
Towing ................................................... 4-26
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-12
Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-45
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-51
Tires ...................................................... 5-53
Appearance Care ..................................... 5-89
Vehicle Identification ................................. 5-96
Electrical System ...................................... 5-96
Capacities and Specifications ................... 5-101
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information ........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 7-16
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy ........... 7-18
Index ................................................................ 1
2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual M

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the IMPALA
Emblem, and the name IMPALA are registered
trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specific vehicle.
Read this manual from beginning to end to learn about
the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols,
and words work together to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Index
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.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25783631 B Second Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ii

Safety Warnings and Symbols
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about
things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore
the warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid
or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not be covered by the
vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice
tells what to do to help avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use
the same words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specific component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iii

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)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv

Head Restraints ...............................................1-2
Front Seats ......................................................1-4
Manual Seats ................................................1-4
Power Seats ..................................................1-5
Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-6
Heated Seats .................................................1-6
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-7
Center Seat .................................................1-10
Rear Seats .....................................................1-10
Split Folding Rear Seat .................................1-10
Safety Belts ...................................................1-13
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-18
Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-32
Lap Belt ......................................................1-32
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-33
Child Restraints .............................................1-34
Older Children ..............................................1-34
Infants and Young Children ............................1-37
Child Restraint Systems .................................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-43
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) ..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position ...................................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position ............................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position ............................................1-54
Airbag System ...............................................1-57
Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-59
When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-63
How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-63
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....1-64
Passenger Sensing System ............................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-71
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................1-72
Restraint System Check ..................................1-73
Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-73
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash ...................................................1-74
Section 1 Seats and Restraint System
1-1

Head Restraints
The vehicle’s front seats have adjustable head restraints
in the outboard seating positions.
{CAUTION:
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.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury
in a crash.
1-2

Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head
restraint, press the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the restraint down.
Push down on the head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is locked in place.
The head restraints are not designed to be removed.
1-3

Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
If the vehicle has a manual seat, it can be moved
forward or rearward. 1. Lift the bar to unlock
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the
desired position and
release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.
1-4

Power Seats On vehicles with power seats, the controls used to
operate them are located on the outboard side of the
seats. To adjust the seat:
•Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the
control forward or rearward.
•Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion by
moving the front of the control up or down.
•Raise or lower the rear part of the seat cushion by
moving the rear of the control up or down.
The driver seat may have power reclining seatbacks.
See “Power Reclining Seatbacks” under Reclining
Seatbacks on page 1-7 for more information.
Driver Seat with Manual Lumbar, Power Seat
Control, and Power Recline shown
1-5

Manual Lumbar
On vehicles with manual lumbar, the lever is located on
the outboard side of the driver seat near the front of
the seat cushion. Lift up or push down on the lever
repeatedly to increase or decrease lumbar support.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with this
feature, the buttons that
control the driver and front
passenger heated seats
are located on the climate
control panel. See Climate
Control System on
page 3-20.
Press the button to turn on the seat at the high setting.
Both lights below the heated seat symbol are lit.
Press the button a second time to turn the seat to the
low setting. Only the bottom light is lit. Press the button
a third time to turn the heated seat off.
The heated seat feature must be turned on again each
time the ignition is turned off and back on.
Driver Seat with Manual Lumbar shown
1-6

Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
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.
To operate a manual reclining seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then
release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.
Passenger Seat with Manual Recline and Power
Seat Control shown
1-7

To return the seatback to an upright position:
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.
Power Reclining Seatback
The driver seat may have a power reclining seatback.
The control used to operate it is located on the outboard
side of the seat cushion rear of the horizontal power
seat control.
•Press the control rearward to recline the seatback.
•Press the control forward to raise the seatback.
Driver Seat with Manual Lumbar, Power Seat
Control, and Power Recline shown
1-8

{CAUTION:
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 when reclined
like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will
not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front
of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving
neck or other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash,
the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
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.
Do not have a seatback reclined if the vehicle is moving.
1-9

Center Seat
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 2-43.
The seatback doubles as an armrest for the driver or
front passenger when the center seat is unoccupied.
Rear Seats
Split Folding Rear Seat
Flip and Fold Feature
On vehicles with this feature, you can flip the bottom
seat cushion(s) forward and fold the seatback(s) down to
create an extended flat cargo area.
1-10

To use this feature:
1. Make sure the front seats are not reclined. If they
are, the seat cushion will not flip forward completely.
2. Flip the bottom seat cushion forward by pulling up
on the tab located in the center of the seat cushion
where the seatback meets the seat cushion.
3. Lower the seatback(s)
by pulling forward on
the tab located on
the outboard side of the
seatback(s).
1-11

To return the seats to the normal position:
{CAUTION:
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 up and make sure it latches.
{CAUTION:
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly
attached, or twisted will not provide the protection
needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt
could be seriously injured. After raising the rear
seatback, always check to be sure that the safety
belts are properly routed and attached, and are
not twisted.
2. Ensure that the safety belts are properly stowed
over the seatback in all three positions.
3. Flip the bottom seat cushion back into place. Push
firmly on the seat cushion to make sure it is secure.
When the seat is not in use, the seatback should
be placed in an upright, locked position, and the seat
cushion should be in the down position.
Under Seat Storage
The vehicle also has an under seat storage area.
To access the storage area, lift up on the tab located in
the center of the bottom seat cushion where the seat
cushion meets the seatback. See Rear Storage Area on
page 2-43 for more information.
1-12

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
This section of the manual describes how to use
safety belts properly. It also describes some things not
to do with safety belts.
{CAUTION:
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, the
injuries can be much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the
vehicle. You and your passenger(s) can be
seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you
might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten
your safety belt, and check that your passenger(s)
are restrained properly too.
{CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is
in a seat and using a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the
safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-27
for additional information.
1-13

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts. Here is why:
You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up, a person would not
survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of
them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes
walk away. Without safety belts, they could have
been badly hurt or killed.
After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on
wheels.
1-14

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
does not stop.
1-15

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In
a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel...
1-16