2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU shift

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(SS Models)
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on
the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-30

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brake and press the shift lever button
before you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition
key is in ON. 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 another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-35later in
this section.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, allows you to
change gears similar to a manual transaxle. If your
vehicle has this feature, see Driver Shift Control (DSC).
2-31

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
This feature allows you to select lower or higher driving
gears when the shift lever is in MANUAL MODE (M).
The button for this mode is located on the left side of
the shift lever knob.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) rearward into the MANUAL
MODE (M). The vehicle will be in the MANUAL
MODE (M) and a gear based on the current
driving speed.
While driving in MANUAL MODE (M), the transaxle
will remain in the selected drive gear unless:
A shift is required to protect the engine or
transaxle or,
The vehicle slows almost to a stop (the vehicle
will automatically downshift)
2. Press the plus button to upshift or the minus button
to downshift.When the shift lever is rst moved into MANUAL
MODE (M), the display on the instrument panel shows
M1, M2, M3, M4. Position M for the manual mode and
a number representing the gear the transaxle is in.
Press the minus (−) end of the button on the shift
lever to downshift. Press the plus (+) end of the button
to upshift. The shift lever must be moved back to
DRIVE (D) to turn off the manual mode and return
to fully automatic shifting.
While using the Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature
the vehicle will have rmer shifting and increased
performance. You can use this for sport driving or when
climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for
more power or engine braking.
The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM). The transaxle will not automatically
shift to the next higher gear if the engine RPM is
too high.
When coming to a stop in the manual mode, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to the proper gear based
on speed. Upon acceleration you will need to manually
upshift to the desired gear.
2-32

SECOND (2) Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in
snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift
into SECOND (2) gear. A higher gear allows you
to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the DSC feature, the vehicle can be set to pull
away in SECOND (2) gear.
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) into the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press (+) end of the
button to select SECOND (2) gear. The vehicle
will start from a stop position in SECOND (2) gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-36.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down momentarily
on the parking brake pedal with your left foot until you
feel the pedal release. If the parking brake is not
released when you begin to drive, the brake system
warning light will be on and a chime will sound warning
you that the parking brake is still on.
The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) to remind you
to release the parking brake. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-50.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-33

Shifting Into Park (P)
{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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without
rst pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-34

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

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

Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button
To program a device to Universal Home Remote using
a Universal Home Remote button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired Universal Home
Remote button. Do not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the Universal
Home Remote button, proceed with Step 2 under
“Programming Universal Home Remote” shown
earlier in this section.
For additional information on Universal Home Remote,
seeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, pull the handle down and pull the glove box
door down until it stops and is fully open.
Cupholder(s)
There is one cupholder located at the rear of the shift
lever and one is to the side of the shift lever.
Pull down the door on the back of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholders.
Center Console Storage Area
There is a storage compartment in the center console
area. To open the lower compartment, pull up on
the release at the front edge of the armrest. Your vehicle
may have an accessory power outlet inside of the
storage area. SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-21for more information.
Map Pocket
Your vehicle may have storage pockets located on the
front edge of the seats, the door panels or the back
of the front seats.
2-50