2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the
ignition is on, when the brake fluid
level is low. The brake system
warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. See
Brake System Warning Light
on
page 5‑18for more information.
Have the brake system serviced by
your dealer as soon as possible.
PUSH PARK PEDAL
This message displays if the parking
brake is left engaged. See Parking
Brake
on page 9‑29for more
information.
Cruise Control Messages
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the
cruise control system is active. See
Cruise Control
on page 9‑34for
more information.
Door Ajar Messages
DOOR AJAR
This message displays if one or
more of the vehicle's doors are not
closed properly. Make sure that the
door(s) are closed completely.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the
trunk is not closed completely.
Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. See Trunk
on
page 2‑10for more information.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life
of the engine oil has expired and it
should be changed.
When this message is
acknowledged and cleared
from the display, the engine
oil life system must still be reset separately. See
Engine Oil Life
System
on page 10‑12, Engine Oilon page 10‑9, and Scheduled
Maintenanceon page 11‑2for
more information.
Engine Power Messages
ENG (Engine) PWR
(Power) REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.

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5-28 Instruments and Controls
Fuel System Messages
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel
cap has not been fully tightened.
Recheck the fuel cap to make sure
that it is on properly. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the message off.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when your
vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel
Gauge
on page 5‑11, Fuelon
page 9‑37, and Filling the Tankon
page 9‑41for more information.
Key and Lock Messages
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW
This message displays if the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace
the battery in the transmitter. See
“Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
AUTO (Automatic)
LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the
automatic headlamp system is
disabled with the headlamp switch.
See Automatic Headlamp System
on page 6‑3for more information.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the
automatic headlamp system is
enabled with the headlamp switch.
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System
on page 6‑3for more information.
Ride Control System
Messages
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) ACTIVE
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays and the ESC/TCS
light on the instrument panel cluster
flashes when ESC is assisting you with directional control of the
vehicle. You may feel or hear the
system working and see this
message displayed in the DIC.
Slippery road conditions may exist
when this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. This
message may stay on for a few
seconds after ESC stops assisting
you with directional control of the
vehicle. This is normal when the
system is operating. See
Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
on
page 9‑32and Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light
on page 5‑20for more
information.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays and the ESC/TCS
light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on solid when ESC is turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-29
SeeElectronic Stability Control
(ESC)on page 9‑32and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light
on page 5‑20for
more information.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
message displays and the ESC/TCS
light on the instrument panel cluster
flashes when the system is actively
limiting wheel spin. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message
is displayed, so adjust your driving
accordingly. This message stays on
for a few seconds after the system
stops limiting wheel spin. See
Traction Control System (TCS)
on
page 9‑30and Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light
on page 5‑20for more
information.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC
STABILITY CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays and a chime
sounds if there has been a problem
detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. This light stays on
solid as long as the detected
problem remains present. When this
message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
on page 9‑32and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
on
page 5‑20for more information.
If this message turns on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon
as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the
ignition off and then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. Have the
ESC inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible.
SERVICE TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
message displays and a chime
sounds when the system is not
functioning properly. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. This light stays on
solid as long as the detected
problem remains present. When this
message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See
Traction Control
System (TCS)
on page 9‑30and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
on
page 5‑20for more information.
Have the system serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
5-30 Instruments and Controls
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 9‑30and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
on
page 5‑20for more information.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there
is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately.
Service Vehicle Messages
ENGINE DISABLED
This message displays if the starting
of the engine is disabled. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer
immediately.
POWER STEERING
On some vehicles, this message
displays if a problem has been
detected with the electric power
steering. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately.
Tire Messages
SVC (Service) TIRE MONITOR
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
TPMS is not working properly. The
tire pressure light also flashes and
then remains on during the same
ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure
Light
on page 5‑21. Several conditions may cause this
message to appear. See
Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation
on
page 10‑48for more information.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with the
TPMS. See your dealer.
TIRE LOW ADD AIR
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low on air. The low
tire pressure warning light also
comes on. See Tire Pressure Light
on page 5‑21. If this message
appears on the DIC, stop as soon
as you can. Have the tire pressures
checked and set to those shown on
the Tire Loading Information label.
See Tires
on page 10‑38,Vehicle
Load Limitson page 9‑12, and Tire
Pressureon page 10‑45. The DIC
also shows the tire pressure values.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑23.

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Instruments and Controls 5-31
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold
enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Washer Fluid Messages
LOW WASHER FLUID
This message displays when the
vehicle's windshield washer fluid is
low. Fill the windshield washer fluid
reservoir to the proper level as soon
as possible. SeeWasher Fluid
on
page 10‑22.
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 3 km/h (2 mph), only the
UNITS menu will be accessible.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
5-32 Instruments and Controls
3. Press the information button toscroll 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.
Personalization Menu Modes
OIL LIFE RESET
When this feature is displayed, you
can reset the engine oil life system.
To reset the system, see Engine Oil
Life System
on page 10‑12. See
“OIL LIFE” underDriver Information
Center (DIC)
on page 5‑23for
more information. UNITS
This feature allows you to select the
units of measurement in which the
DIC will display the vehicle
information. When UNITS appears
on the display, press and hold the
reset button for at least one second
to scroll through the available
settings:
ENGLISH (default in United
States):
All information will be
displayed in English units.
METRIC (default in Canada): All
information will be displayed in
metric units.
To select a setting and move on to
the next feature, press the
information button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
REMOTE START
If the vehicle has remote start, this
feature allows it to be turned on or
off. When REMOTE START
displays, press and hold the reset
button, then select ON or OFF. OFF disables the remote start feature.
See
Remote Vehicle Start
on
page 2‑5for more information.
LOCK HORN
This feature, which allows the
vehicle's horn to chirp every time
the lock button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
pressed, can be enabled or
disabled. When LOCK HORN
appears on the display, press and
hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the
available settings:
OFF (default): The horn will not
chirp on the first press of the lock
button on the RKE transmitter. The
horn will still chirp on the second
press.
ON: The horn will chirp on the first
press of the lock button on the RKE
transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
on page 2‑3for
more information.

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Instruments and Controls 5-33
To select a setting and move on to
the next feature, press the
information button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
UNLOCK HORN
This feature, which allows the
vehicle's horn to chirp on the first
press of the unlock button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter, can be enabled or
disabled. When UNLOCK HORN
appears on the display, press and
hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the
available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not
chirp when the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter is pressed.
ON: The horn will chirp on the first
press of the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
on page 2‑3for
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.
LIGHT FLASH
This feature, which allows the
vehicle's exterior hazard/turn signal
lighting to flash 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 flash when
the lock, unlock, or trunk release
buttons on the RKE transmitter are
pressed. ON (default):
The exterior hazard/
turn signal lighting will flash when
the lock, unlock, or trunk release
buttons on the RKE transmitter are
pressed.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
on page 2‑3for
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 five seconds after the last
door is closed. You can temporarily
override delayed locking by

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5-34 Instruments and Controls
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.
See Power Door Locks
on
page 2‑8, Delayed Lockingon
page 2‑8, and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operationon
page 2‑3for 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. AUTO UNLK (Unlock)
This feature, which allows the
vehicle to automatically unlock
certain doors, can be enabled or
disabled. When AUTO UNLK
appears on the display, press and
hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the
available settings:
ALL (default):
All of the doors will
automatically unlock.
DRIVER: The driver's door will
automatically unlock.
NONE: None of the doors will
automatically unlock. You will need
to manually unlock the doors.
See Automatic Door Locks
on
page 2‑9for 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. UNLK (Unlock)
This screen displays only if DRIVER
or ALL is selected for the AUTO
UNLK feature. This feature
determines when the automatic door
unlocking will occur. When UNLK
appears on the display, press and
hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the
available settings:
KEY OFF:
The door(s) will unlock
when the key is turned off.
SHIFT TO P (Park) (default): The
door(s) will unlock when the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park).
See Automatic Door Locks
on
page 2‑9for 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.