2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU steering

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you're
not using cruise, you might hit a button and go
into cruise when you don't want to. You could
be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.1. Press OFF/ON to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET DECEL (Decelerate) button and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you don't need to reset
it. Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can press the cruise control ACCEL (Accelerate)
RESUME button brie¯y. You'll go right back up to your
chosen speed and stay there.
If you press the ACCEL RESUME button brie¯y, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch
or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
don't hold down the ACCEL RESUME button.
3-10

Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has three positions:
<(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
following:
·Sidemarker Lamps
·Taillamps
·License Plate Lamps
·Instrument Panel Lights
3(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
AUTO:Turn the exterior lamps control to AUTO to
provide for automatic operation of the headlamps,
taillamps and parking lamps. For more information see
ªAutomatic Headlamp Systemº later in this section.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
·The ignition is on,
·the exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO or you
have turned on your parking lamps,
·the light sensor detects daytime light,
·the parking brake is released, and
·the shift lever is not in PARK (P).
3-12

Headlamps Off in Park (P)
This feature works when the ignition is on and it is dark
outside. To turn the headlamps off when it is dark
outside, turn the exterior lamp control to the parking
lamp position. In this position, the parking lamps,
sidemarker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps and
instrument panel lights will be on, but the headlamps will
be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamp control to
the AUTO or headlamp position.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF at night. Then the headlamps will
automatically turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the switch at the end of the
turn signal/multifunction lever up one position and then
back to AUTO.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has this
feature, the button for the
fog lamps is located on
the instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
When using the fog lamps, if equipped, the ignition must
be on as well as the parking lamps or the low-beam
headlamps.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light in the button will glow when the fog lamps are
on. Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams
are turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
3-14

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
The thumbwheel for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
Move the thumbwheel to the right to brighten the lights
or to the left to dim them.
Entry/Exit Lighting
When you open any door, the lamps inside your vehicle
will go on. These lamps will fade out 10 seconds
after the last door is closed, or when the ignition is
turned on after all doors have been closed. These lamps
will also go on when you press the trunk release
button, the unlock button or the horn button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps inside of your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition to
provide an illuminated exit.
Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the lamp. The DOOR position
will turn on the lamp while a door is opened. The
OFF position will shut off the lamp completely, even
while a door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
3-15

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-15
City Driving..................................................4-18Freeway Driving...........................................4-19
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-20
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-21
Winter Driving..............................................4-23
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-27
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-34
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your re¯exes, perceptions, attentiveness and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious Ð or
even fatal Ð collision if you drive after drinking.
Please don't drink and drive or ride with a driver
who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if
you're with a group, designate a driver who will
not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to
do their work at the places where the tires meet
the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle.
4-5

Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the
vehicle in front of you, you won't have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
®rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you don't have anti-lock,
your ®rst reaction Ð to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down Ð may be the wrong thing to do. Your
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it inwhatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you don't have anti-lock, use a ªsqueezeº braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel
the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help
you retain steering control. If you
dohave anti-lock, it's
different. See ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
4-8

Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves.
Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems Ð steering and braking Ð have to do theirwork where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
The same thing can happen if you're steering through a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two
control systems Ð steering and acceleration Ð can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-9