
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

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

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

Competitive Driving (SS Only)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
competitive driving. After reviewing your warranty book,
please see the GM Performance Parts website or
catalog for parts and equipment required for
competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-17.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-18

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with
a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-25

Fuses Usage
POWER MIRRORS Power Mirrors
EPS Electric Power Steering
RUN/CRANKCruise Control, Electronic Range
Select, Driver Shift Control
HVAC BLOWER
HIGH (Relay)Climate Control System
CLUSTER/ THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster,
Theft Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®System
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag System
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Climate Control System
PEDALAdjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal
WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR LIGHTSOverhead Lighting,
Trunk/Cargo Lighting
Fuses Usage
REAR WIPERRear Wiper System/
Washer Pump
HVAC CTRL (IGN) Climate Control System
HVAC BLOWER Climate Control System
DOOR LOCK Automatic Door Lock System
ROOF/HEAT SEATSunroof, Heated Seats,
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror, Compass, Rear Wiper/
Washer System
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (BATT) Airbag System
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
5-101