2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX fuel

Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and
gages on your vehicle. The pictures help to
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or
is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As the details show on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on briey when you
start the engine just to let you know they are
working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Often gages and warning lights work together
to let you know when there is a problem with
your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let
you know at a glance how your vehicle is running.
You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much
fuel you’re using, and many other things you will
need to drive safely and economically.
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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, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might 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 344.
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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.
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 possibleIf 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 349.
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.
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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.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 346. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.
(These conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.) This will be detected by the
system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require
at least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn
the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several
days of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection
for lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
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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, this 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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Information Mode
INFO/4(Information):Press this button to scroll
through the vehicle information mode displays
in the following order:
TRIP A
TRIP B
FUEL RANGE (Fuel Range Until Empty)
ECON (Average Fuel Economy)
AV SPEED (Average Vehicle Speed)
OIL LIFE (Engine Oil Life System)
TRIP A or TRIP B:Press the information
button until TRIP A or TRIP B is displayed.
This shows the current distance traveled since
the last reset for each trip odometer in either
miles (mi) or kilometers (km). Both odometers
can be used at the same time. Each trip odometer
can be reset to zero separately by pressing and
holding the enter button for a few seconds
while the desired trip odometer is displayed.FUEL RANGE:Press the information button
until FUEL RANGE is displayed. This shows
the remaining distance you can drive without
refueling. It is based on fuel economy and
the fuel remaining in the tank.
When the fuel level is low, FUEL RANGE LOW
displays.
The fuel economy data used to determine fuel
range is an average of recent driving conditions.
As your driving conditions change, this data is
gradually updated. Fuel range cannot be reset.
ECON (Economy):Press the information
button until ECON is displayed. Average fuel
economy is how many miles per gallon (mpg) or
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) your vehicle
is getting based on current and past driving
conditions.
Press and hold the enter button while ECON is
displayed to reset the average fuel economy.
Average fuel economy will then be calculated
starting from that point. If the average fuel
economy is not reset, it will be continually
updated each time you drive.
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CHECK GAS CAP:This message displays if the
fuel cap has not been fully tightened. Recheck
the fuel 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 displays if one or
more of the vehicle’s doors are not closed properly.
Make sure that the door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED:This message displays
if the starting of the engine is disabled. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately by your
dealer/retailer.
ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED:This
message displays 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
dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
GATE AJAR:If your vehicle has a liftgate,
this message displays when the liftgate is not
closed completely. Make sure that the liftgate
is closed completely. SeeLiftgate (MAXX)
on page 110for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create
icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW:This message
displays if the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery
in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 97.
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LOW FUEL:This message displays along with
a low fuel warning light on the instrument panel
cluster when your vehicle is low on fuel. Rell
the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel on
page 346andFilling the Tank on page 349.
LOW WASHER FLUID:This message displays
when your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid.
Rell the windshield washer uid reservoir as soon
as possible. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 380.
POWER STEERING:This message displays
if a problem has been detected with the electric
power steering, if your vehicle has this feature.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
dealer/retailer.PUSH PARK PEDAL:This message displays if
the parking brake is left engaged. SeeParking
Brake on page 132for more information.
SERVICE AIR BAG:This message displays
if there is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your dealer/retailer.
TRUNK AJAR:If your vehicle has a trunk, this
message displays when the trunk lid is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk lid is closed
completely. SeeTrunk (Sedan) on page 108
for more information.
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