2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX trailer

If you are ever driving and the security light comes
on and stays on, you may be able to restart
your engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®III+
system, however, is not working properly and
must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is
not protected by the PASS-Key
®III+ system at
this time.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key,
see your GM dealer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better
in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 333for
the trailer towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
117

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(Base Models)
Your automatic
transaxle has a shift
lever located on
the console between
the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 132.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 333.
124

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(SS Models)
Your automatic
transaxle has a
shift lever located
on the console
between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 132.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 333.
128

Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake, push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot. If the
ignition is on, the brake
system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light
on page 206.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down
momentarily on the parking brake pedal with
your left foot until you feel the pedal release.
If the parking brake is not released when
you begin to drive, the brake system warning
light comes on and a chime sounds as a warning
that the parking brake is still on.
The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also
display in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
as a reminder to release the parking brake.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 222.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 333.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
132

CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 333.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing
the button on the shift lever while pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before leaving
it. After moving the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pushing the shift lever button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked in PARK (P).
133

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But
if you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 136.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is
at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park
in a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 317.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 132.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling
a trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 333.
137

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.
213

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 288
Defensive Driving...................................... 288
Drunken Driving........................................ 289
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 292
Braking...................................................... 292
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 293
Braking in Emergencies............................. 295
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 295
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 297
Steering.................................................... 299
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 302
Passing..................................................... 302
Loss of Control.......................................... 304
Competitive Driving................................... 305
Driving at Night......................................... 306
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 307City Driving............................................... 311
Freeway Driving........................................ 312
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 313
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 314
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 315
Winter Driving........................................... 317
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 322
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 323
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 324
Towing........................................................ 330
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 330
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 330
Towing a Trailer........................................ 333
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
287