2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-34.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, then
you will be able to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P). SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation (Base Models) on page 2-27
orAutomatic Transaxle Operation (SS Models) on
page 2-30.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
Press the shift lever button before moving the
shift lever.
2-35

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-36

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-34.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-37

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the angle of the mirror, move the mirror to a position
that allows you to see out of the back window. To adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects
the mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a knob
located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used to change
the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare
from headlamps behind you while driving at night,
rotate the knob clockwise. For daytime driving, turn
the knob counterclockwise.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-44for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with OnStar®. This feature enables the mirror
to sense nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps from
behind and automatically dim to reduce the glare to
a safe level.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time the
vehicle is started. Press the OFF button once and
the green indicator light located to the left of the button
will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn the
feature back on, press and release the AUTO button
and the green indicator light will come on.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-44for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-38

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass and OnStar®controls. For
more information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System
on page 2-44.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time
the vehicle is started. To turn automatic dimming off
or on, press the left button below the mirror. A green
indicator light will be on when automatic dimming is on.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-44for
more information about the service OnStar®provides.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for a
few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror will
display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there
may be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar
object. If the letter C appears in the compass window,
the compass may need to be reset or calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
2-39

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the mirror
is not adjusted for compass variance, the compass
could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the
factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass
to compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is
driven outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances,
such as a long distance, cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C appears in the
compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration” listed
previously.
2-40

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. This feature enables the
mirror to sense nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps
from behind and automatically dim to reduce the
glare to a safe level.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time the
vehicle is started. Press the OFF button once and
the green indicator light located to the left of the button
will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn the
feature back on, press and release the AUTO button
and the green indicator light will come on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for a
few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror will
display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there
may be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar
object. If the letter C appears in the compass window,
the compass may need to be reset or calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
2-41

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the mirror
is not adjusted for compass variance, the compass
could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the
factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is driven
outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances, such
as a long distance, cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C appears in the
compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration” listed
previously.
2-42