2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU power steering

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 168
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 170
Other Warning Devices............................. 170
Horn.......................................................... 170
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel............ 170
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 171
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 172
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 172
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 173
Windshield Wipers..................................... 173
Windshield Washer.................................... 174
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
(MAXX Model)....................................... 175
Cruise Control........................................... 176
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 179
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 181
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)...................... 181
Delayed Headlamps.................................. 182
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 182
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 183
Fog Lamps................................................ 184
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 184
Dome Lamp.............................................. 184
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 185Parade Dimming........................................ 185
Front Reading Lamps................................ 185
Rear Reading Lamps................................ 185
Trunk Lamp............................................... 185
Cargo Lamp.............................................. 186
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 186
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 186
Cigarette Lighter........................................ 187
Climate Controls......................................... 188
Climate Control System............................. 188
Automatic Climate Control System............. 192
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 197
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 198
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 198
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 200
Trip Odometer........................................... 200
Tachometer............................................... 201
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 201
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 202
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 202
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 203
Charging System Light.............................. 206
Brake System Warning Light..................... 206
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 208
Section 3 Instrument Panel
165

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control
System on page 188.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 171.
C. Cruise Controls (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 176.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 198.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. See
Windshield Wipers on page 173.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 118.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 170.
H. Passenger Sensing System. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 82.
I. Center Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control
System on page 188.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 228.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate
Control System on page 188.L. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 160.
M. Side Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control
System on page 188.
N. Adjustable Pedal Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 121.
O. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 184.
P. Storage Compartment.
Q. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps
on page 184.
R. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on
page 352.
S. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 132.
T. Horn. SeeHorn on page 170.
U. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
(Three Spoke) on page 282orAudio Steering
Wheel Controls (Four Spoke) on page 283.
V. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 186.
169

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

Then, when driving conditions permit, you
can tune to your favorite radio stations using
the presets and steering wheel controls if
the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer/retailer.
Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment
can be added, it is very important to do it
properly. Added sound equipment can interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and even damage
them. Your vehicle’s systems can interfere
with the operation of sound equipment that
has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition is
turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 119for more information.Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
To set the hour, press the clock button.
The clock symbol displays and the hour ashes.
Turn the ADJ (adjust) knob to increase or to
decrease the hours. To set the minutes, press
the clock button again. The minutes ash.
Turn the ADJ knob to increase or to decrease
the minutes. The time can be set with the
ignition on or off.
229

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS,
your rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal
hard and hold it down — might be the wrong thing
to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they
do, the vehicle cannot respond to your steering.
Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it
was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.
That could be off the road, into the very thing you
were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do
this by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding,
ease off the brake pedal. This will help you
retain steering control. If you do have ABS, it is
different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
on page 293.
In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System
(TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that one or both of
the front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transmission to limit wheel spin. Also, the
traction control system activates the appropriate
corner brakes to gain even quicker control to
limit wheel spin.
295

Steering
Electric Power Steering
If your vehicle has the electric power steering
system and the engine stalls while you are driving,
the power steering assist system will continue to
operate until you are able to stop your vehicle. If
you lose power steering assist because the electric
power steering system is not functioning, you can
steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after
a few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 222.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If your vehicle has the hydraulic power steering
system and you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or the power steering
system is not functioning, you can steer, but it will
take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the
road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to
change its path when you turn the front wheels.
If there is no traction, inertia will keep the
vehicle going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
299

Service........................................................ 344
Accessories and Modications................... 344
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 345
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 345
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 346
Fuel............................................................. 346
Gasoline Octane........................................ 346
Gasoline Specications.............................. 347
California Fuel........................................... 347
Additives................................................... 347
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 348
Filling the Tank......................................... 349
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 351
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 352
Hood Release........................................... 352
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 354
Engine Oil................................................. 359
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 362
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 364
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines).............. 365Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).................................... 366
Engine Coolant.......................................... 368
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 371
Engine Overheating................................... 371
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (3.5L V6 and 3.9L V6 Engines).... 373
Cooling System......................................... 374
Power Steering Fluid................................. 379
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 384
Jump Starting............................................ 385
Bulb Replacement....................................... 389
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 389
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 390
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps............................... 392
License Plate Lamp................................... 393
Replacement Bulbs................................... 394
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 394
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
341

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 379
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.F. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 371
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 381.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
357