2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s
name, the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), insurance company
and policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the accident. They will walk you through
the information they will need. If they ask for a
police report, phone or go to the police department
headquarters the next day and you can get a
copy of the report for a nominal fee. In some states
with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not
be necessary. This is especially true if there are
no injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer or a
private collision repair facility to x the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
7-13

Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must
live with the repair. Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may initially value the repair
using aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine
GM parts, even if your insurance coverage does not
pay the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for
the repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
7-14

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you will
notify General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet
Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020,
or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
7-15

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual,
and Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on
the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-21
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-70
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-25
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning......................................3-22, 3-27
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-35
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
Airbag System................................................1-59
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-70
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-67
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-69
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-67
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-68
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-65
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-62
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-108
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-108Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-108
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-37
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-96
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-93
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-89
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Leather......................................................5-91
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-96
Tires..........................................................5-95
Ultra Lux Suede..........................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
1

Audio System(s).............................................3-54
Audio Steering Wheel Controls...........3-105, 3-106
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-108
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-107
Care of Your CDs and DVDs .......................3-107
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-108
Radio with CD....................................3-56, 3-61
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-71
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).....................3-101, 3-103
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-55
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-105
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-106
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-108
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-27
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-17
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..................................................5-23, 5-24
Operation...........................................2-27, 2-30B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-108
Battery..........................................................5-42
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-24
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Parking......................................................2-33
System Warning Light..................................3-36
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-25
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking
Lamps ....................................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
2

C
Calibration.............................................2-39, 2-41
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-107
Carbon Monoxide...........2-15, 2-16, 2-36, 4-27, 4-42
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-107
Your CDs and DVDs ..................................3-107
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-20
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-50
Chains, Tire...................................................5-70
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-40
Infants and Young Children...........................1-36
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-56Child Restraints (cont.)
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-22
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-89
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Leather......................................................5-91
Tires..........................................................5-95
Ultra Lux Suede..........................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-22
Automatic...................................................3-27
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-31
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-30
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass...............................................2-39, 2-41
Competitive Driving.........................................4-18
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-52
3

Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-45
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-50
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-16Delayed Locking.............................................2-13
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-19
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-13
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-12
Locks........................................................2-11
Power Door Locks.......................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-14
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-19
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-47
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-47
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-52
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-18
City ...........................................................4-22
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-33
Winter........................................................4-27
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-86
4