2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU service

Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has
the Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this
light may come on for
the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TC (traction control) button located on the center
console, the light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on, press the button
again and the warning light should go out.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the ETS will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System
Active Light
If your vehicle has
the Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this
light will come on when
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the Enhanced
Traction System active light comes on, so adjust your
driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
system stops limiting wheel spin.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good,
and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
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If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
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Oil Pressure Light
If you have low engine
oil pressure, this light
will stay on after you
start your engine, or
come on and you will
hear a chime when
you are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have
some other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
This light will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition as a check to show you it is working. If it
does not come on with the ignition on, you may have
a problem with the bulb. Have it xed right away.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
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Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you
have left, when the ignition is on. When the indicator
nears empty, the amber light located left of the
pump symbol will come on and you will hear a chime.
You still have a little fuel left, but you should get
more soon. The arrow on the fuel gage points to
side of the vehicle with the fuel door.Here are four things that some owners ask about.
These are normal and do not indicate a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to
ll the tank.
The indicator moves a little when you turn a corner
or speed up.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn off the
ignition. United StatesCanada
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DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages will appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
Any message will clear when the vehicle’s condition
is no longer present. To acknowledge a message and
clear it from the display, press any of the three DIC
buttons. The warning message will come back on
the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on
if the condition is still present. With most messages,
a warning chime will sound when the message is
displayed. Your vehicle may have other warning
messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF:This message will
display if the automatic headlamp system is disabled
with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON:This message will
display if the automatic headlamp system is enabled
with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID:This message will display to inform the
driver that the brake uid level is low while the ignition
is in ON. Have the brake system serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.CHANGE OIL SOON:This message will display when
the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be
changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the engine oil life system separately. SeeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-20,Engine Oil on page 5-17,
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
CHECK GAS CAP:This message will display if the
gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to make sure that it is on properly.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the message off.
DOOR AJAR:This message will display if one or more
of the vehicle’s doors are not closed properly. When
this message displays, you should make sure that the
door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED:This message will display if the
starting of the engine is disabled. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately by your GM dealer.
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ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED:This
message will display to inform you that the vehicle has
reduced engine power to avoid damaging the engine.
Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle’s ability
to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but acceleration and
speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on,
the vehicle should be taken to your GM dealer for service
as soon as possible.
GATE AJAR:If your vehicle has a liftgate, this
message will display when the liftgate of your vehicle
is not closed completely. You should make sure that
the liftgate is closed completely. SeeLiftgate (MAXX)
on page 2-16for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message will display when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW:This message will
display if the remote keyless entry transmitter battery is
low. You should replace the battery in the transmitter.
See “Battery Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry
System Operation on page 2-6.
LOW COOLANT:This message will display when there
is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling system
serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.LOW FUEL:This message will display when your
vehicle is low on fuel. You should rell the fuel tank as
soon as possible. You will also see a low fuel warning
light on the instrument panel cluster. SeeFuel on
page 5-5andFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
LOW WASHER FLUID:This message will display
when your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid.
You should rell the windshield washer uid reservoir
as soon as possible. See “Adding Washer Fluid”
underWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
POWER STEERING:This message will display if a
problem has been detected with the electric power
steering, if equipped. Have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your GM dealer.
PUSH PARK PEDAL:This message is displayed if
the parking brake is left engaged. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-33for more information.
SERVICE AIR BAG:There is a problem with the
airbag system when this message appears. Have your
vehicle serviced immediately by your GM dealer.
TRUNK AJAR:If your vehicle has a trunk, this
message will display when the trunk lid of your vehicle
is not closed completely. You should make sure
that the trunk lid is closed completely. SeeTrunk
(Sedan) on page 2-15for more information.
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Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL/FADE /S(Balance/Fade):To adjust the
balance between the right and the left speakers, press
and release the balance and fade button until BAL
appears on the display. Turn the ADJ knob to move the
sound toward the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, press and release the balance and fade
button until FADE appears on the display. Then turn
the ADJ knob to move the sound toward the front or
the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance or the fade to the middle position,
select BAL or FADE. Then press and hold the balance
and fade button for more than two seconds. You
will hear a beep and the level will be adjusted to the
middle position.
To adjust the speaker controls to the middle position,
rst end out of balance and fade by pressing another
button, causing the radio to perform that function, or by
waiting ve seconds for the display to return to the
default display. Then press and hold the balance and
fade button for more than two seconds until you hear a
beep. ALL CENTERED will appear on the display.
Radio Messages
CALIBRATE:The audio system has been calibrated for
your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE appears
on the display it means that the radio has not been
congured properly for your vehicle and must be
returned to your GM dealer for service.
LOCKED:This message is displayed when the
THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up. Take the vehicle
to your GM dealer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your GM dealer.
Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in and the CD should begin playing.
If you want to insert a CD with the ignition off, rst press
the eject button or the DISP knob.
As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the
player, it will stay in the player. When the ignition
or radio is turned on, the CD will start playing, where
it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
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