2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Trunk..........................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-24
Starting the Engine.......................................2-24
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-26
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-27
Automatic Transmission Operation
(Four Speed Transmission).........................2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Transmission)...........................2-30
Parking Brake..............................................2-34
Shifting Into Park..........................................2-35
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-37
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-37
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-38
Mirrors...........................................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar®and Compass...............................2-39
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-41
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-42
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

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

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

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward to
MANUAL (M).
While driving in manual mode, the transmission will
remain in the driver selected gear. When coming
to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle
will automatically shift into FIRST (1) gear.
2. Press the (+) plus paddle located on top of the
steering wheel controls forward to upshift, or
push the backside of the shift paddle rearward to
downshift.The Driver Information Center (DIC) in the instrument
cluster will change from the currently displayed message
to the letter “M”, For MANUAL position, and a number
indicating the requested gear range when moving
the shift lever forward or rearward.
While using the DSC feature the transmission will have
rmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear
longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM):
The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine
RPM is too high.
The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is
too high.
2-33

Shifting Out of Park
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system. You have to apply your regular
brake rst and then press the shift lever button
before you can shift from PARK (P). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation (Four Speed Transmission)
on page 2-28orAutomatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Transmission) on page 2-30.
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
press the shift lever button and move the shift lever
into the gear you wish.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO.
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-37

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
D. Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever. See
Windshield Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield
Washer on page 3-10.
E. Instrument Panel Storage. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-52.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-59.
G. Adjustable Pedal Buttons (If Equipped). See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 2-26.
Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16. Fog Lamps Button.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
H. Driver Storage Compartment. SeeDriver Storage
Compartment on page 2-53.
I. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
J. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
K. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
on page 3-7.L. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-79.
N. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-22.
O. Climate Control System or Automatic Climate
Control System. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-21orAutomatic Climate Control System on
page 3-24.
P. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
(Four Speed Transmission) on page 2-28or
Automatic Transmission Operation (Six Speed
Transmission) on page 2-30.
R. Front Storage Area. SeeFront Storage Area on
page 2-52. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-19.
S. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.
T. Traction Control Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-52.
3-5

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp
system turns on the headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, and the instrument panel
lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel that controls the automatic headlamp system.
Make sure it is not covered or the automatic headlamp
system will be on when it is not needed.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the automatic
headlamp systems so that driving under bridges or
bright overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only
be affected when the light sensor sees a change
in lighting lasting longer than this delay.If vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once
the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about one minute
for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL
if it is light outside. During that delay, the instrument
panel cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure
the instrument panel brightness control is in the full
bright position. See “Instrument Panel Brightness
Control” underInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-16.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp system
off, turn the ignition on and set the exterior light
switch to the off/on position. For vehicles rst sold in
Canada, the transmission must stay in PARK (P) for this
function.
The regular headlamps should be used when needed.
3-15