2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU instrument panel

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. The airbags in your vehicle may
not inate in a crash, or they could even
inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
United StatesCanada
203

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when that condition is no
longer present on the vehicle. To acknowledge a
message and clear it from the display, press
any of the three DIC buttons. If the condition is
still present, the warning message will come back
on the next time the vehicle is turned off and
back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your
vehicle may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
enabled with the headlamp switch.BRAKE FLUID:This message displays to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low
while the ignition is in ON. The brake system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster
also comes on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 206for more information. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON:This message displays
when the life of the engine oil has expired and it
should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still
must reset the engine oil life system separately.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 362,Engine
Oil on page 359, andScheduled Maintenance
on page 460for more information.
222

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.
224

If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 344.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has
ABS, this warning
light on the instrument
panel will come on
briey when you start
your vehicle.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.
293

This light is located on
the instrument panel
cluster.
It will come on when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on page 176.
The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions except park or neutral. But the system
can upshift the transmission only as high as
the shift lever position you’ve chosen, so you
should use the lower gears only when necessary.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation (Base
Models) on page 124orAutomatic Transaxle
Operation (SS Models) on page 128.This light is located on
the instrument panel
cluster.
When the system is off, this warning light will
come on to let you know if there’s a problem, or if
the system has been turned off.
When the warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you prefer.
To turn the system on or off, press the TC button
located under the climate controls. In order to
effectively “rock” the vehicle, you will need to
turn off TCS.
If you press the TC button once, the traction
control system will turn off and the TCS warning
light will come on. Press the TC button again
to turn the system back on. The TCS warning
light will go off.
296

Dinghy Towing
The Malibu Sedan SS and Maxx SS cannot be
dinghy towed.
For vehicles that can be dinghy towed, follow
these steps:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.4. To prevent your battery from draining while
the vehicle is being towed, remove the
following fuse from the instrument panel
fuse block: IGN SENSOR. SeeInstrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 447for more
information.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACC.
6. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to install the fuses once you reach
your destination. To reinstall a fuse, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Reinstall the fuse.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle, it could be
damaged. Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle.
331

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp
turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may
need additional wiring. Check with your
dealer/retailer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also ash, telling other drivers you’re
about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are seeing
your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
Driving On Grades
When towing a trailer on long uphill grades while
the outside temperature is above 85°F (29°C),
reduce your vehicle speed to 45 mph (72 km/h)
to avoid overheating the engine cooling system.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift down, you might have to use
your brakes so much that they would get hot
and no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage.
If the indicator is in the red area, turn off the
air conditioning to reduce engine load. See
Engine Overheating on page 371.
338

Tires............................................................ 397
Winter Tires.............................................. 398
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 399
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 403
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 406
High-Speed Operation............................... 407
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 408
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 409
Buying New Tires...................................... 410
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 412
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 412
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 414
Wheel Replacement.................................. 414
Tire Chains............................................... 416
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 417
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 418
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 419
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 422
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Sedan).................................................. 428
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Sedan SS)............................................ 430Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(All MAXX Models)................................. 432
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 434
Appearance Care........................................ 435
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 435
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 436
Leather...................................................... 437
Ultra Lux Suede........................................ 438
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 438
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 439
Weatherstrips............................................ 439
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 439
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 440
Finish Care............................................... 440
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 440
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 441
Tires......................................................... 441
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 442
Finish Damage.......................................... 442
Underbody Maintenance............................ 442
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 442
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
342