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BUT MAKE SURE THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE IS AT LEAST 99.9% PERCENT ACCURATE...TRUST ME WITH NO DIC YOU'LL NEED IT!!!
The computer readout for average consumption was 21.4 mpg but when calculated manually using the pump the mpg dropped to 17.2.
The DIC came as part of an option package described as a driver information and convenience center, so I didn't pay extra, other than the fact that it increased the package price - nothing is free. That aside it should be a little more accurate, an error of 25% is a little too high and I'm surprised that GM has had no complaints.
Otherwise the car is great, especially the heated leather seats on those chilly Canadian mornings.
The DIC on my previous 2 Chryslers AND my Impala have all had the same problem, ~10% low reading on the flowmeter. I think they must do it on purpose. After all, not everyone actually calculates their mileage. No use in hacking folks off by giving them low numbers. 'Course, the RIGHT numbers would be OK.
The TRAF button, again in my understanding, works fine but never works because almost no radio stations actually transmit the signals that trip the TRAF feature.
Our state law is 35% for the front window, so I did that, and went 25% for the rear/back windows.
At http://autowindowtintings.com/ they have a demo where you can play with the settings, although they don't have 25%. Their laws are not up to date for my state, but your window tinting place will know what the law is. You may not want to even go as dark as what your law allows.
I made a few calls and went to check out my shop and looked at some of their work before I went with them. The place I used tinted impala's for 2 Chevy dealers in town. Solar Gard has a lifetime warranty, but there are many other good quality tints out there with same warranty. I think the quality of the person doing the job is more important (most likely) than the brand of tint.
My tint is a smoke/charcoal color. At state law limits it looks pretty natural I think and it dosen't look like you are a gang banger or anything
take care
gw
RDS supports both, secondary broadcast channels and over the air text messaging broadcasts. In both instances these features become active when the radio station broadcasts simultaneously in the RDS channel.
RDS has been widely used in Europe for years. In Europe the radio support of RDS broadcasts is incredible.... for instance in London if you press the RDS or TRAF button in your car's radio and you happen to be driving around Trafalgar Square, for example, the traffic bulleting that you receive applies to your current location..as you drive in the city, the traffic bulletins automatically get updated as you go...is truly amazing.
Before RDS, the old European secondary broadcasts system was known as ARI. ARI was used for almost 30 years for traffic and weather bulletins. If you look or happen to have owned an older Blaunkpunt car stereo, now you know what that mysterious "ARI" button was for.
RDS is an update of the ARI system as it supports over the air text messaging, program search location according to type of radio station programming and station identification messaging.
Also , the automatic radio clock update feature as you travel through different time zones is RDS dependant as well.
North America has been very slow and often reluctant to adopt an effective RDS support infrastructure as good as the one found in Europe. major radio station broadcasting companies cite the high costs of RDS equipment and technical support plus they also claim people here are either not interested in the technology (But in most cases they haven't even introduced to it) or don't have the RDS support in their car stereos to justify the investment on RDS broadcasts.
Most new cars, foreign and domestic, now offer RDS support in their car stereos and evidently car manufacturers are making a strong case to introduce people to this radio technology and at the same time stimulate the FM Radio broadcasting industry to follow suit and update their equipment. We shall see.
In the mean time XM Satellite digital radio is already operating and only very few luxury cars are offereing XM ready receivers. XM is a $9K to $10K radio subscription service with a large amount of broadcast channels for all tastes and digital quality radio signal.
Perhaps the Impala would benefit with an available Delco XM radio receiver
Last, RDS only works on FM band, not AM.
I LIKE ANSWERING "HIS" POSTS AND I WILL CONTINUE!
Here is a question for Teo and other knowledgeable members. Does it matter that traction control is engaged all the time? Are there any parts that will wear out because the button is always in the ON position? Why is there an option to turn it off? These are probably dumb questions, but I am curious.
Thanks
Now lets get back to the Impala board where owners can boast about their car or bring forth their complaints..
Charts2, it IS difficult to read a post in all caps, that's just a reality. Also, most folks around these parts find the type of post that you called "boring" quite helpful.
It's not up to you to decide what is an okay post and what isn't - if you find a post that does not interest you, your best course of action is to just ignore it. The Membership Agreement requires civil and respectful discourse - there have been a few posts here lately that probably do not meet that requirement.
So yes, let's get back to talking about the Impala, and stop talking about each other. And let's just agree to keep quiet if we come across posts that we do not find interesting. After all, it's not up to us individually to decide that any sort of information will not be helpful and useful to someone else.
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
I believe there is an anti-static floor mats that can be use to eliminate statics. Typically, these mats are used on the production assembly floor when the workers assemble electronic components. I'll let you guys know if I find something interesting.
Can you believe it, it's now 82 degrees in January!!
To be honest, it happened last summer quite often, but in the Chicago winter, I don't notice it as much. I wonder if it has anything to do with the dryer summer air?
If you notice an unusual ammount of static elect., it may be an oprion to have the car's electrical system checked; maybe there is a bad ground somewhere....
RR
I think I might opt for a little lighter share in the rear. Maybe 25% all the way around.
Any darker and I will be "profiled"....
take it easy. GO BEARS!!!
RR
If you get stuck in mud or snow, you may have to "rock" you car to get out. If that is the case, you will need to turn the traction control off.
Leaving the traction control on will not cause items to wear any faster than normal. It is not like 4 wheel drive where the hubs are spinning.
The impala is the firs new car that i haven't had to take in for warranty work. So i am scared to part with it.
I would like about 260-280hp.
The Infiniti G35 looks very promising.
If you guys had a choice of buying another car under 30K, which car would you choose?
As for the static thing, I'd really like to see that TSB regarding the ECM. I don't understand how the ECM could affect static, except maybe for static on the radio. As for a bad ground, I doubt that as well.
12 volts will produce a spark when jumped to ground in a short circuit condition. But it actually takes many thousands or millions of volts of static charge to produce a spark that shocks a person. The problem is twofold: First, dry weather causes more buildup of static charge, and the air in the car is much dryer in the winter than the summer. Second, leather and cloth are both non-conductive and therefore don't dissipate the built-up charge quickly enough to bring them back to low voltage before you get out and touch the door. Even if the seat is properly grounded to the chassis, a person's clothing will build the required voltage when getting out, while not leaving enough time for the voltage to dissipate.
Fabric softners and other friction reducing treatments can help, both with charge buildup and dissipation. Since leather tends to produce less friction, it is usually less of a problem than cloth.
Bigger stereo, nominal acceleration increase, and true climate control is all I see it having over the Impala.
Plus, at no extra charge you get a flimsy Chrysler body and all the associated issues.
Not that I'm biased or anything.
By the way I have a Chrysler minivan and would get another one. Those are better than Ford or GM any day. Ford has the best trucks.
Oh yeah we're talking about the Impala.
"I'm looking for the rear molded splash guards for 2000-2002 Chevy Impalas. Do you handle these?"
jim@collectorsautosupply.com replied "Let me get you prices. Is there a particular colour you want?"
Anyone who's interested in following up can do so directly with Jim. Good luck. Collector's Auto Supply is out of Oroville, WA and Peachland, B.C. Canada. Maybe they can get them from the Great White North.
Jim's indication that there are colour choices indicates these may be aftermarket parts. But hey if they look good, what the heck, eh hoser?
Before I forget, yes the Bears are doing GREAT this year, I think its their best year since 85?
On the tinting, its my understanding that the lower the number, the darker it is. Because I have 35 on the front windows and it is lighter than the 25 on the rear. As a matter of fact, I was considering going 35 all the way around to keep it all uniform. Before I made a decision I looked at some he had already done (the vast majority had the state limit of 35 in the front and 25 in the rear, but he did have one 35 all the way around). I chose to do the mixed ratios. If the law allowed for 25 all the way around I might have gone that way.
I do feel that the tint offers some protection from the sun and glare and also keeps the car cooler in the summer time.
By the way I used to live 90 miles north of Chicago, right off of I-94 in SW Michigan, so I do follow the Bears alot, even down here in Arkansas.
Take Care
gw
1- Has anybody else seen this on their car?
2- Is replacement covered under warranty?
If you sit in the 300M, you can definitely tell the 300M is more luxurious than the Impala LS. Better quality materials all around. I realize that the price difference is enormous. You get what you pay for.
Once Chevy introduces the Impala SS, it would be nice to see luxury amenities on the Impala SS, similarly to the 300M equipped. Of course, GM will have to increase the price of the SS as a limited production for those that prefer "uniqueness".
A joke kind of loses its impact when you have to explain it.
Maybe i am not as funny as i think i am.
Same as you I love my Impala very much and it has been a great car to us so far. However, for my next car I am craving for RWD, 50/50 weight distribution, a 6-in line engine and possibly a manual 5 or 6 speed, altough I much prefer automatics due to my everyday driving conditions.
Very few cars in the market match these requirements in the $28K to $35K price range, here are my runner ups:
*BMW 325 or 330 Sedan or sportwagon
*Lexus IS 300 sedan or Sportcross wagon
*Infiniti G35 (the sedan looks good but the rear end has that "droppy" Infiniti benchmark butt)
*Cadillac CTS (Only when Lutz revises some of the exterior "Darth Vader" looks and drops a more powerful engine under the hood)
*Impala SS V8 RWD (If it happens I would put it high on my shopping list)
If I were forced to go the FWD/AWD route my first pick perhaps will be the Audi A4 sedan or the all new A4 Avant wagon comes out next year.
Ford Crown Victorias and Mercury Marauders simply don't appeal to me. I know they are awesome cars in their own right, but they always remind me of New York City Taxi cabs....nothing wrong, just me.
Acura seems pretty dissapointing as of late. While Lexus and Infiniti already have serious RWD sedans priced at or under $30K, Acura is still stuck with the FWD Accord platform. Nothing at Acura appeals to me at that price point and performancewise.
I am planning on keeping my Impala LS for at least 3 years so by the time I decide to make the jump, most of these cars would have already be a couple of years out in the market, already improved or fully redesigned. So this is likely by either 2003, 2004 or 2005.
The Altima is very nice, but I want next time around a car from a Luxury brand. The Maxima is a very good car, but the Altima is the better choice of the two in despite of the 255HP engine and 6-speed manual. I also can't get over the solid rear axle in the Maxima and the mediocre crash test scores.
I also want to see how the new Altima unfolds in the reliability arena overtime.
While I might be the only one that thinks that GM should keep a V6 pushrod offering in the Impala, this car also screams but a furious DOHC motor and a V8 option and even a Supercharged powerplant.
If GM adds any of these to the already tasty mix, get ready for one of the best performing, best family sedan values in the market.
GM, it is up to you to keep current and future owners interested in the Impala.