2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU trunk

TRACTION OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the
system is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-39
for more information.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to a preferred setting.
All of the features listed may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the features available will be
displayed on the DIC.The default settings for the features were set when your
vehicle left the factory, but may have been changed
from their default state since that time.
To change feature settings, use the following procedure:
Entering Personalization Menu
1. Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release to enter
the personalization menu.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h),
only the UNITS menu will be accessible.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes.
Press the reset button to scroll through the available
settings for each mode.
If you do not make a selection within ten seconds,
the display will go back to the previous information
displayed.
3-53

LIGHT FLASH
This feature, which allows the vehicle’s exterior
hazard/turn signal lighting to ash every time the lock,
unlock, or trunk release buttons on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter are pressed, can be enabled
or disabled. When LIGHT FLASH appears on the
display, press and hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the available settings:
OFF:The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting will
not ash when the lock, unlock, or trunk release buttons
on the RKE transmitter are pressed.
ON (default):The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting
will ash when the lock, unlock, or trunk release buttons
on the RKE transmitter are pressed.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2-5for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
DELAY LOCK
This feature, which delays the actual locking of the
vehicle, can be enabled or disabled. When DELAY
LOCK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
ON (default):The doors will not lock until ve seconds
after the last door is closed. You can temporarily
override delayed locking by pressing the power lock
switch or the lock button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter a second time.
OFF:The doors will lock immediately when pressing
the power lock switch or the lock button on the
RKE transmitter.
SeePower Door Locks on page 2-11,Delayed Locking
on page 2-11, andRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-56

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles.
And, if you will be driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet,
or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction.
Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-52.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You
have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be very
careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the leasttraction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Even though you have ABS, begin
stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be ne
until you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches can appear in
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such as
around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you,
brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you
are actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
4-18

If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else are put inside the vehicle, they will
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid vehicle damage, a platform or atbed trailer
should be used to transport this vehicle. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a dolly.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
4-26

{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer/ retailer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage your
fuel tank and emissions system. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-41.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if
this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and
others:
Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
5-11

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
A. Backup Lamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp
C. Stoplamp/Taillamp
If you have an uplevel vehicle, see your dealer/retailer.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for
more information.
2. Remove the convenience net, if the vehicle has one.
3. Remove the convenience net hooks holding the
trunk trim.4. Remove the three wing nuts, which hold the
taillamp assembly, from inside the vehicle.
5. Remove the taillamp assembly.
6. Remove the wiring harness from the taillamp
assembly by lifting the release tab.
7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it.
8. Pull the bulb from the socket.
9. Install a new bulb.
10. Reverse Steps 2 through 6 to reinstall the taillamp
assembly.
5-49

Back-up Lamp
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the wing nuts holding the trunk trim.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove
from the lamp assembly.
4. Pinch the connector tab to remove connector from
bulb assembly.
5. Snap connector into the bulb assembly.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall.
License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate lamp bulb:
1. Turn the two screws that hold the license plate lamp
assembly counterclockwise to remove them.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp forward
through the fascia opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Push the new bulb in and turn it clockwise to install.
5-50

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is in the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it.
Then remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-88for more information.4. Remove the wing nut holding the jack in place.
5. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
Tire Changing Tools
The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench (A)
and jack (B).
5-79