2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU tow

Automatic Transmission Operation
(Four Speed Transmission)
Your automatic
transmission 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 the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting
Into Park on page 2-35. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brake rst and then press the shift
lever button before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, then push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park on page 2-37.
2-28

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-20.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose
control and hit people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine is running at
high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Notice:If the vehicle seems to start up rather slowly
or not shift gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive the vehicle that way, you could
damage the transmission. Have the vehicle serviced
right away. You can drive in L2 (Low) when you are
driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and D (Drive) for
higher speeds until then.
2-29

INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed without
using your brakes for slight downgrades where the
vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness
of grade. If constant upshifting or downshifting occurs
while driving up steep hills, this position can be used to
prevent repetitive types of shifts. You might choose
INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on
hilly, winding roads and when towing a trailer, so that
there is less shifting between gears.
LOW (L):This position gives you access to FOURTH,
THIRD, SECOND and FIRST gear ranges. This
provides more engine braking but lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D). You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the electronic range select is
put in LOW (L), the transmission will not shift into lower
gears until the vehicle is going slow enough.Automatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Transmission)
Your automatic
transmission 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.
2-30

{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting
Into Park on page 2-35. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brake rst and press the shift
lever button before you can shift from PARK (P) while
the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into
another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-37.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-20.
2-31

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more,
push the accelerator all the way down.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, allows you to
change gears similar to a manual transmission. If your
vehicle has this feature, see Driver Shift Control (DSC).
2-32

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 3-48.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
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, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-30.
Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the 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 4-30.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-34for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/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).
2-35

Running the Vehicle 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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
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.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-18.
{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 on page 2-35.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-38

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
If your vehicle has OnStar
®, the buttons are located at
the bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer
for more information on the system and how to
subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-42for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass and OnStar®. The automatic
dimming 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.
O:This is the on/off button.
Press and hold the on/off button until the indicator light
located to the left of the button goes out indicating the
feature is off. To turn the feature back on, press and hold
the on/off button until the indicator light comes on.
There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror face. See your retailer for more information
on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar
®.
SeeOnStar®System on page 2-42for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
2-39