2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU warning light

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with DOT
3 brake uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-16for the location
of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down:
The brake uid level goes down because of normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are installed,
the uid level goes back up.
A uid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.Do not top off the brake uid. Adding uid does not
correct a leak. If uid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much uid when new
brake linings are installed. Add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If too much brake uid is added, it can spill on
the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and the vehicle
could be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
5-39

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard
all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to torque specications
inCapacities and Specifications on page 5-108.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without the
vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
5-41

Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Industry
and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates
on a radio frequency and complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Vehicles with TPMS operate on a radio frequency and
comply with RSS-210 of Industry and Science Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists.
TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the
vehicle’s tires and transmits the tire pressure readings
to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected,
the TPMS turns on the low
tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument
panel cluster.
At the same time a message to check the pressure in
a specic tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.
Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-44andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-46.
5-62

The low tire pressure warning light may come on in
cool weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label shows the size
of your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are
cold. SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-20, for an
example of the Tire and Loading Information label and its
location on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-59.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-66andTires on page 5-51.
Notice:Liquid tire sealants could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensors. Sensor
damage caused by using a tire sealant is not covered
by your warranty. Do not use liquid tire sealants.TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of
the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light
ashes for about one minute and then stays on for the
remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message
is also displayed. The low tire warning light and DIC
warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the
problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and DIC message to come
on are:
One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you re-install the
road tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The TPMS sensor matching process was started but
not completed or not completed successfully after
rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message and
TPMS malfunction light should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is performed successfully.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” later in this
section.
5-63

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-72
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Adjustment
Chime Level...............................................3-92
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-26
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag System................................................1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-64
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-66
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-71
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-64
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?........1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-60
Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-32Antenna
Backglass...................................................3-92
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-92
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-35
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-96
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 7-7
Audio System.................................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-89
Setting the Clock.........................................3-57
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-92
1

Audio System(s).............................................3-59
Audio Systems
Radio Reception..........................................3-91
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-89
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-24
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-28
Operation...........................................2-26, 2-28
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-92
Battery..........................................................5-42
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................6-14
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-78
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Antilock....................................................... 4-5
Parking......................................................2-32
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-15
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-47
License Plate Lamps....................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-68
C
Calibration.....................................................2-38
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 5-4
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-108
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................2-35
Trunk.........................................................2-12
Winter Driving.............................................4-17
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-71
Center Console Storage...................................2-50
2

Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-33
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-38
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-14
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-97
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................1-35
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children..................................................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-54
Systems.....................................................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-92
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-96Cleaning (cont.)
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-27
Climate Control Systems
Automatic...................................................3-24
Clock, Setting.................................................3-57
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................
5-89
Compass.......................................................2-38
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-4
Convenience Net............................................2-51
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-37
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-36
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-33
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Courtesy Transportation...................................7-10
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-42
Cupholders....................................................2-50
3

Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Fuses........................................................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-98
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-105
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-98
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-19
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-20
Electronic Stability Control................................. 4-6
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...........3-35
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-26
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-38
Compartment Overview................................5-16
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-37
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-36
Cooling System...........................................5-28
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil .............................................................5-21
Oil Life System...........................................5-24Engine (cont.)
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-36
Overheating................................................5-34
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-26
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-85
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-28
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Front Storage Area.........................................2-50
5