2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU seat adjustment

Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in your vehicle have a
lap-shoulder belt.
Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can
sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Do not let it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
If you ever pull the shoulder portion of a passenger
belt out all the way, you may engage the child
restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the
belt go back all the way and start again.3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, seeSafety Belt
Extender on page 1-30.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if necessary.
4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster,
move it to the height that is right for you. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the
effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in this
section.
1-25

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
Your vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the
driver and right front passenger position.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt
is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away
from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.
Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce
the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.
To move it up or down,
squeeze the buttons (A) on
the sides of the height
adjuster and move
the height adjuster to the
desired position.
After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to
move it down without squeezing the buttons to make
sure it has locked into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front
outboard occupants. Although you cannot see them,
they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help
tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crash if the
threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are
met. And, if your vehicle has side impact airbags, safety
belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in
a side crash.
Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a
crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other
new parts for your safety belt system. SeeReplacing
Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-73.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added
safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults. When installed on
a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt
away from the neck and head.
1-27

Remote Start Climate Control Operation
If the vehicle has remote start and it is activated,
the climate control system heats and cools the inside of
the vehicle using the previous system settings before
the vehicle was turned off. The climate control knobs will
remain active during a remote start. However, the
climate control buttons will be inactive until the ignition
is turned on by the key. If the fan is off, the climate
control system will not operate during remote start.
With the automatic climate control system, the climate
control displays “RS” in place of the temperature to
indicate that remote start is activated. For best
performance, turn both the fan and mode knobs to
AUTO. If the temperature is cold enough and the mode
knob is set to AUTO, the system begins in defrost to
clear the windows. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-5.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the lever located in the center of each outlet by
moving it either up and down or side-to-side, to change
the direction and amount of airow in the vehicle.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Do not use non-GM approved hood deectors as
they could adversely affect the performance of
the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, use the recirculation mode, with the
temperature knob at a comfortable setting to prevent
the odor from entering the vehicle through the
ventilation system. This can be helpful when driving
through a long tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this mode in cold or
cool weather can cause window fogging.
3-29

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-94
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-93
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-91
Interior.......................................................5-89
Tires..........................................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Automatic...................................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-29
Clock, Setting.................................................3-60
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................2-39
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-53
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-26
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Cupholders....................................................2-52
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................ 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-7
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
3

Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-22
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-42
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-46
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-19
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-42
Power Mirrors.............................................2-41
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-17
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode....5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-95
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-10
Parade Dimming.............................................3-17
Park
Headlamps Off in Park.................................3-14
Shifting Into................................................2-35
Shifting Out of............................................2-37Park Brake....................................................2-34
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-37
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-35
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-20
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-98
Lift Seat....................................................... 1-8
Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current.................3-20
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-24
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-36
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-29
Privacy..........................................................7-18
Event Data Recorders..................................7-18
Navigation System.......................................7-19
OnStar.......................................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-19
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
9