2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU warning

Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on for a
few seconds when you
turn on the ignition
as a check to show
you it is working.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and
you hear a chime, you may have a problem with
the electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while
this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake
is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
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The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
BRAKE FLUID message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-50for more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. Try turning off
and restarting the vehicle one or two times, if the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-39.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
anti-lock brake system, the
light will come on when
your engine is started and
may stay on for several
seconds. That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to off. If the light
comes on and the chime sounds when you are driving,
stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off.
Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the
light still stays on, or comes on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not have
anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with your
regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-36earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS), 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 is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the TCS 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.
Traction Control System
Active Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS), this
light will come on when
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the TCS active
light comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
3 system stops limiting wheel spin.
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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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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light indicates that
the engine coolant
has overheated or the
radiator cooling fan is
not working.
This light will come on briey when you turn on the
ignition as a check to show you it is working.
If the light comes on and the vehicle has been operating
under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop
the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 5-32for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, the light
comes on and you hear a chime, your engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions and the gage reads hot,
you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) provides the
following:
A way to personalize your vehicle
Trip information
Warning messagesThe buttons used to activate the DIC are located on the
left side of the vehicle’s audio system.
INFO/
4(Information):Press this button to scroll
through the vehicle information mode displays.
MENU:Press this button to enter and scroll through
the menu mode.
ENTER/
r(Enter):Press this button to select a
menu option or to acknowledge a warning message.
The DIC messages will be read through your audio
system display.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC comes on when the ignition is ON. If your
vehicle has the uplevel audio system, the time
and outside temperature will be shown on the rst line
of the display and the DIC information will be shown
on the second line of the display.
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the DIC buttons. The button functions are
detailed in the following section. United States
Canada
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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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