
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-14
Child Restraints
.......................................1-34
Airbag System
.........................................1-59
Restraint System Check
............................1-71
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-11
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-38
OnStar
®System
......................................2-44
Universal Home Remote System
................2-46
Storage Areas
.........................................2-50
Sunroof
..................................................2-53
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-32Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-47
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-54
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-39
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-52
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-89
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-107
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-6
Doors and Locks............................................2-11
Door Locks..................................................2-11
Power Door Locks........................................2-12
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-12
Delayed Locking...........................................2-13
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-14
Lockout Protection........................................2-14
Trunk (Sedan)..............................................2-15
Liftgate (MAXX)............................................2-16
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-23
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-24Starting the Engine.......................................2-24
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-25
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-26
Automatic Transaxle Operation
(Base Models)..........................................2-27
Automatic Transaxle Operation (SS Models).....2-30
Parking Brake..............................................2-33
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-34
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-35
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-36
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-37
Mirrors...........................................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-38
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®...................................................2-38
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®and Compass...............................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass.................................................2-41
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-43
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-43
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-43
OnStar
®System.............................................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Window Lockout
The driver’s power window controls also include a
lockout button.
o(Window Lockout):Press the lockout button to
stop the rear passengers from using their window
switches. The driver and front passenger can still
operate all the windows with the lock on. When the
red part of the switch is visible you have returned
to normal window operation.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also remove them from the center mount and
swing them to the side, to block out glare from the
side. The visors also have extenders that can be
pulled out.
Your vehicle may have lighted visor vanity mirrors
located on the passenger and driver’s side visor.
When you lift the cover, the light will turn on.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
With the ignition off, you can arm the system by doing
any one of the following:
Press the remote keyless entry transmitter lock
button.
Press the power door lock switch while the driver’s
door is open.
Turn the driver’s door key lock cylinder clockwise.
2-18

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