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Comments
In a couple of weeks, I'll be ready to talk seriously to car dealers about buying a new car. That's the main concern I have with the Impala. My other questions about Impalas have pretty much been answered. If I go with the Impala, it will be the 3.4L base. It could be the engine shutdown was with one engine but not the other.
Thanks for any help. (You've all be plenty helpful already!)
The $15 blue headlight bulbs from Pep Boys, etc. are street legal. You can read this on packages, and, any case, I do not think a big chain like Pep Boys would take the legal risk.
On other hand, I am sure they will attract attention of police - simply because the car will stand out in night. This is like driving in torch-red Corvette. Street legal, but too easy to get speeding ticket in the marginal cases.
Any case, using too bright lights is not nice toward fellow drivers.
Since the car wasn't designed to illuminate all 4 headlights, would that not possibly cause excessive heat in the wiring, thereby creating a problem? If the wiring were such that they connect both low and hi beams and split only at the lamps themselves, then the wiring may only be rated for the Current capacity of the high beams and not for both running at the same time, especially during continual use of holding the Stalk.
Ontario drivers - Peel Region also has a Black one on the prowl without the pushbars in front
Btw, we have lost the topic header. Is this new or perhaps there is a new problem?
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
the Friday the 13th thing has affected us.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Every new car purchase is a crap shoot, but I don't think you can increase your chances any better than with an Impala.
On the headlight thing: On my Dodge, when I pull back the stick for "momentary hi-beams" I notice I get "more than bright" sometimes, just for a split second. This may be normal or it may be a glitch. I doubt you'll get a straight answer from Mr. Goodwrench about this unless you have someone you really trust. HOWEVER: The likelihood of a fire is VERY LOW. Those wires are not sized based on perceived maximum load but are fused below their overload point. You'd lose power altogether before starting a fire. HOWEVER: I don't believe the lights are designed to be used with both filaments energized. The risk is longevity of the bulb...
Sorry, I tired to post a direct link, but I guess it exceeds the number of characters in a word limit...
Maybe the system is flakey again...
I have test driven the Impala on 3 occasions and really like it, but I have two questions that I would appreciate your input on:
First: in the LS with the leather seats, I find the lumbar contol to be very uncomfortable, even when turned all the way down. It seems to hit too high up in my back. Any solutions? Would that problem be better with the custom cloth seats (which also have the lumber control?)
Second: the car that I am looking at does not have a factory installed sunroof. I was considering having one installed by the dealer. Is this a bad idea? The one thing that I did not like about the factory installed sunroof is that it opens "outside" rather than under the roof inside. The other sunroofs that I had all opened inside and caused less wind noise. Thanks
1) Have you test drive an Impala LS with the Sport Cloth seats? This should not make a difference in terms of the lumbar adjustment comfort but for sure it is worth a try. Who knows, if you find the cloth seats to be more comfortable you'll be saving the $625 extra GM charges for the leather upholstery. Also, try different cars to see if there is any radical difference.
2) Aftermarket sunroofs are a big no-no in my book. Now days I know there are very reputable companies that can perform this sort of work, but I would advise you that your best bet is to stick with the factory sunroof. Not only is made to actual specifications but when the car gets older it won't give you any problems with leaks, air filtration, rust spots, etc. The Impala's factory sunroof slides out not in....if you try to change this you can run into big problems including a sagging headliner, reduced headroom and other unwanted problems that may arise in trying to alter the original intend of the designers to have the sunroof to slide out of the tracks. In all honestly, not worth the hassle, but it is up to you....
Stnel: The engine hesitation/stumbles/shutdowns have been reported mainly on early production 2000 model year Impalas with the 3800 V6 engine. I might have come accross a post a long, long time ago of someone having these problems on the 3400 V6 engine as well.
I haven't read or seen anywhere about any 2001 model year Impala whether it is a 3400 or 3800 V6 to have reported these issues. My current Impala LS (3800 V6) was built on 1/2000 and the car has never ever had any episodes of engine hesitations, shutdowns or any other problems...my engine has performed flawlessly for 15,000 miles.
I wouldn't worry about this when buying a new 2001 Impala sedan...this first year bug was solved long ago at the assembly line.
Moral of the Story: Never ever buy a first year GM car or truck....wait at least a couple of years until all bugs have been sort out. A 2001 Impala with a very recent build date should be your best bet.
> Has anyone tried those HID look alike replacement bulbs on their
> impala yet? I've seen those imitation lights on Hondas..
Those aren't fake HIDs on the Hondas. They are the real thing.
I tried the high wattage blues on my '99 GrandAm. I removed them after a week due to a few reasons. I live in a rural area and am constantly trying to find a high beam solution that is brighter. Going down twisty country hilly roads at night can be scary since the "hard-edged" GrandAm light aim on high beams is too tight, no ambient illumination. Go down a hill with a road turning and you find the pasture ahead of you well-lit, but the road that just turned ahead of you, before you make the turn, bathed in total darkness.
Anyway, I was hoping these lights that have higher wattage would at least splash some ambience when used with high beams.
The blue is cool. They honestly look like the real thing. The ones I purchased do not have the rainbow junk or anything. They just give a real HID look. But, that is all.
Since the bulb is coated with a blue tint, you lose the high wattage illumination gained and the end result is a lower illumination. I was amazed that my high beams, even though aimed correctly, just did not have enough punch on these country roads when compared to the factory bulbs.
The heat. Your housing for the bulbs is made with a composite material that is heat resistant. This housing costs waaaay over $100.00. If the extra wattage produced by these bulbs could possibly shorten the life of this housing, making it very brittle and eventually, it will crack. A friend of mine at a salvage yard showed me that very thing. A wrecked car that was being stripped for salvage had composite light housings. Inside were the fake HID blue bulbs and it didn't take much to crack the housing area close to the bulb's socket hole. The rest of the housing was not as brittle.
So, in summary... you lose brilliance but if you are just a "city boy", this probably won't matter since you rarely use your high beams anyway. ;>)
Thermal issues can shorten the life of the housing.
The wiring??? Well, I was curious about that and under full beam, neither the plug or the wiring became warm due to excessive wattage. I'm sure the electrics are far higher in ratings than what is really required.
"This is further to your e-mail of March 23, 2001 concerning laws
> regulating the brightness of head lamps.
>
> Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Transport Canada develops and enforces
> the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. Vehicle manufacturers and importers
> must certify that all new vehicles comply with the Regulations in effect
> on their date of manufacture. CMVSS 108 "Lighting System and
> Retroreflective Devices " specifies which lighting devices must be fitted
> to new vehicles, as well as their brightness, their location on the
> vehicle, and the conditions for their activation.
>
> Links to CMVSS 108 and Technical Standards Document 108 "Lamps,
> Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment", which CMVSS 108 incorporates
> by reference, on Transport Canada's website are shown below for your
> information:
>
> CMVSS 108: http://info/actsregs/mvsa/jan98/english/mvsr108.html
>
> TSD 108: http://info/RoadSafety/mvstm_tsd/tsd/1080-m.htm
>
> The Act, Regulations, and related documents can also be viewed on
> Transport > Canada's website, www.tc.gc.ca.
>
> Headlighting systems are subject to photometric performance requirements
> specified in TSD 108. These requirements are in the form of light
> intensities at various test points (representing angular directions
> relative to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the headlamp) in front of
> the vehicle. There is no single maximum allowable luminous intensity value
> for a headlighting system. Each test point has a maximum or a minimum
> allowable luminous intensity, or both, expressed in candela, depending on
> the location of the test point. For example, the minimum light intensity
> required to be directed towards the pavement far exceeds the maximum light
> intensity allowed in the direction of oncoming drivers.
>
> Luminous intensity is not measured in watts. However, TSD 108 specifies
> the maximum wattage and other characteristics of various standardized
> headlamp bulbs as a reference so that original equipment and replacement
> bulbs can be manufactured with exactly the same characteristics in order
> to provide safe performance over the life of the vehicle.
>
> Tail lamps on the other hand are limited to a maximum of 25 candela at or
> above horizontal.
>
> While motor vehicle manufacturers and importers are subject to federal
> law, vehicle drivers and owners are regulated provincially. Consequently,
> vehicle operation, condition, maintenance and modifications are addressed
> in provincial laws. The federal government has no legal authority to
> control provincial motor vehicle and road transportation policies.
>
> The Highway Traffic Act of each province sets out legal responsibilities
> for motor vehicle owners and drivers. Provincial laws generally require
> that original safety equipment fitted on licensed vehicles pursuant to the
> Motor Vehicle Safety Act shall not be removed nor rendered inoperable.
>
We hope that this information was helpful to you."
That's it from the Canadian Big Brother!
I absolutely love the car so far. The only complaint I have is how dirty the rear of the car gets, especially after it rains. Do they make anything to help prevent some of this? Do the dealer installed mud guards help? I would appreciate it if someone could give me a web site or refer me to a previously placed posting.
Thank you.
The car sure does move a ways after putting in park, and even a bit with the emergency break on. This doesn't bother me much, but freaks out the hubby each and every time.
I just have to say. "Geez, we've had this car 15 months, get used to it already!" and I have to be carefully not to park the nose of the car right up on something.
Thanks for the info. I'm still deciding between the Taurus and Impala but I imagine when I get ready to test drive the cars, that will be a big deciding factor. If I go with the Impala, I'll try to find one built after 10/00.
Connecting with Friday the 13th was just a funny atempt at humor. A site this big is
probably a headache to maintain but that is the computer geeks specialty- mine is just
to state the obvious
(which would mean theproblem was there) but the edit seems to work the way it should.
Have fun:))
It is my understanding that the tech folks are still trying to work everything out. The title boxes should return, but I will henceforth predict no more ETA's. :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I checked the Low Beam/High Beam thing at lunch today. As you said, 00impala, if I hold the with back, all four lights are illuminated...
Also had my wheels re-balanced, with the weights put on the inside of the wheels today. Looks much better...
Picture it: Galaxy Silver AS, fully loaded, including Sunroof, windows tinted...
I LOVE THIS CAR !!!!
Whats up with that!!
I used to wonder why some people seem to put AS instead of LS. Now I know....
If you hit Check Spelling, it will change it...
I am in the market this summer for a 2001 or 2002.
I am not sure if there any differences between the models. Any clues?
I test drove a Nissan Maxima and it is a nice car but a different animal. Not as torquey as the Impala LS. I think I am leaning towards the LS.
But it is fun to demo. Checking the specs between the Maxima and the LS it turns out that the LS specs out better in most areas. I was surprised. Even the gas mileage.
One thing also is I know replacement parts are inexpensive for American cars. I relined my front brake pads on my 96 Lumina and the pads were only $17. My only problem is that my wife insists that I get a blue car so I have to hunt high and low to get a blue LS with what I want.
later, Alan
OK you Impala owners - some of you have to live in or near northern NJ - there are just too many to not have representation there.
Come on out and show off these gorgeous cars on sunday April 22 at the Rockaway Mall off Rt 80 at exit 35 anytime after noon on this coming Sunday.
We at the Bonneville forum decided to get a few members together and we have a couple Auroras meeting us there, so come on and show us your beautiful Impalas. We'd sure love to see them!
If you can make it - stop by the Bonneville forum and let us know or else email me (see my profile).
Don't disappoint me - I love the Impala and sure hope to see a few on Sunday.
Ken
You wondered where a certain Intrigue owner has been lately - have you noticed that '71SS' posts about his Intrigue and Caddy?
Ken
Alanwagen: Sounds like you're going the right direction. I'd find a Blue LS and go with it. Maximas are pretty sharp but don't have the specs and are pretty pricey for what you get.
Tomaso7: I didn't read all of the verbiage from the Canadian government, but a good point was made that wattage and luminicity don't necessarily correspond. I just got some new light bulbs for the house that are 13 watts each but put out the light of a 60 or 75 watt standard bulb. The difference is in how much energy goes to light and how much goes to heat. By these standards, lrymal may be better off to look for a bulb that's very efficient at creating light from energy, therefore not going too high on wattage but getting the ambient lighting he desires. The bulbs for home are relatives of fluorescent bulbs. I don't know if this technology is available for headlights.
Pat, good luck with the cockroaches. Yuk.
I am so relieved that I discovered this web site! I have been experiencing HESITATION problems with my 2000 Impala AS for over 1 year. I have been to the dealer a countless number of times. As a matter of fact I have been to two different dealerships because I received no help from the first one. I have left my car at the dealer for up to a week at times, but every time the dealer will insist that the problem has never occurred. However,the last time I picked my car up, it happened on my way home!
I would like information on having Chevrolet buy this car back. How should it be handled due to the fact that a dealer has never experienced this problem and can verify that it exists? Due I need to actually get into a serious accident? The problem is getting ridiculous
Also, my car has 23,000 miles on it due to the long commute to work I have. Will this be a problem? It is still under warranty.
I am hoping to have the same luck that SCOTSMAN93535 did.
the dealer told me that the rotors (which are probably the cause) are warrantied for only 12,000 miles (the warranty/extended warranty I have doesn't cover this)
my car is a 2000 base, build date 3/00, 15,000 miles (brakes started pulsating slightly around 11,000 miles)
just FYI...:)
At 35+ k miles now, I will have all 4 rotors truned when I repalce the front brakes.
Will need tires in a month or so.
Anybody seen pics of 2002 Impala yet? Kinda wondering what small changes they will make.
Tony
Since my last post on this topic got abused by the list software, I'm gonna try posting it again.
(a) Does the Impala's "oil change monitor" work as advertised (recommending a change when the oil actually needs changing), or does it work strictly off of the odometer?
(b) Is anyone using synthetics? If so, which brand, and has the "monitor" recommended changes less frequently?
(c) Also, re: synthetics... How has your performance/mileage been affected?
I've never used synthetics myself, but am considering using them exclusively for my car once it gets in. I'm just looking for some "there I was" stories from other Impala owners before I take the plunge.
PS - Since the title bar bit seems to be missing from the boards right now, you can add a pseudo-title by using HTML tags, like I've done above.
Where is the club area of this forum? I have never been to this part of the forum before. Could you or someone else help me out? Thanks!
Enjoy your Impalas and if you are thinking about buying one, you should because it is a treat to drive a sporty car that costs less than a Camry or Maxima. May all have a great day!
I ordered a 2001 Impala LS yesterday. Black with neutral leather. Everything except the roof.
The dealer ( Bill Kay, Downers Grove, IL) was extremely helpful and sensitive to what I wanted... since I am a GMS purchaser, it really wasn't too tough. They were even offering a demo LS trimmed the EXACT way I wanted but it had a roof. The deal: 600 below GMS price - basically a free sunroof. But bad experiences w/ roofs in the past soured me.
6-8 weeks... that's the worst part!
A BIG thanks to all of you that helped me with questions and concerns. I almost feel like part of the family!
RR
aka Steve
and hope you stay with us to report on it. Hey- notice the headline is back!
Impala Owners (or go to the owners board and click on Chevrolet Impala
You can enter and tell us about yourself on the meet the members discussion by clicking on that. Most stuff tends to get grouped in this general discussion(that also posts on the sedan board)you are in- but there are seperate ones for dealer issues, radio stuff, meet the members, photo gallery, and I forget what else.
Welcome to the group.
I have a 2001 Monte SS with 3.8 liter engine and have found a way to change the filter without getting oil on me, the car or the garage floor.
1.Borrow one of your wife's Hefty One-Zip Heavy Duty Jumbo Freezer bags.
2. With one hand put the freezer bag over the oil filter and the oil filter housing.
3. With the other hand loosen the filter, either with a filter strap wrench or a filter cap that fits the bottom of the filter.
4. Once the filter is loosened, then you can simply screw it off with your free hand and it will drop into the freezer bag as well as any oil from the filter housing.
5. Continue to hold the freezer bag over the filter housing for an additional 10 seconds and with your free hand wipe the filter housing as soon as you bring the freezer bag with the filter and oil down from the filter housing.
6. Zip up the jumbo freezer bag and discard.
I have found this to be very effective and, if done properly, you will get no oil on yourself, the car or the garage floor.
Thanks for telling us that the oil plug is 15 millimeter. I have 5 free oil and filter changes from the dealer so I am changing my own filter at 1500 mile intervals and letting the dealer change the oil and filter at 3000 mile intervals.
St. Louis Missouri
Instead, I go down to my local Walmart store and I buy their bath rugs, which I have found to be more effective in keeping the original carpet clean and tidy. These bath rugs come in 22x36 and fit both the Impala and Monte Carlo for the front and the 17x21 size fits just perfect for the 2 indentations in the back . To cover the hump in the back ,buy the contour bathrug and cut off the "dog ears" just enough so it fits under the front seats and you'll have the hump covered. Because these bath mats have a rubberized back, they cling very well to the original carpet. Also I buy an additional one for the driver's side as that one seems to get the most use in our family. About once every two months I prevail upon my lovely wife to throw them in the washer and they come out nice and clean and fluffy and they last between 2-3 years depending on usage. If your wife frowns on you throwing them in her washer, you can always take them down to the local laundrymat.
If you'd like an upgrade from the bathmats at Walmart, try the Royal Velvet bath mats at Linens N Things as they are absolutly first class with a five year guarantee, even though they are 50% more than the ones at Walmart, they are well worth it.
As we come in to spring and summer I'd also recommend that you look at Sears, Target, Walmart and other stores for their designer mats and rugs. They come in various sizes and most of them will fit the front and rear of Impalas and Monte Carlos. Although the rears may require buying a large one and cutting it in half. These designs and colors are so vivid that they will give an extra touch to your ride. I have found that most of the ladies in my life really are awed when they step into a car with a designer rug or mat in front. As a matter of fact, the first thing they will do is take off their shoes, and sink their feet into the rug.
St. Louis Missouri