2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU run flat

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-19
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits
on page 9‑12. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver
’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑47.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant and
compressor kit. The kit can be used
to seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire.
SeeTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit
on page 10‑61for complete
operating information.
If the vehicle came with a jack and
spare tire, see If a Tire Goes Flat
on
page 10‑59.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the “Change Oil Soon”
DIC message when it is necessary
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press and hold the DIC INFO and reset buttons, on the left
side of the steering wheel, at the
same time to enter the
personalization menu. The “Oil
Life Reset” message displays.
3. Press and hold the reset button until the DIC display shows
“Acknowledged.”
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
See Engine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑12.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows
The high‐beam headlamps, parking
lamps, and back‐up lamps may
come on each time
Kis pressed.
See “EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS” under
Vehicle Personalization
on
page 5‑31for additional
information.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the anti-theft alarm system.
See Anti-Theft Alarm System
on
page 2‑12.
V(Remote Trunk Release):
Press and hold for about
one second to unlock the trunk.
The trunk can be opened with the
transmitter when the vehicle speed
is less than 3 km/h (2 mph) or when
the ignition is off.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release to
locate the vehicle. The horn sounds
three times and the headlamps and
turn signals flash three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than
two seconds to initiate the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the headlamps and turn signals flash
for 30 seconds. Press
Lagain to
cancel the panic alarm.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to the vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
programmed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters no longer work once the
new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to four
transmitters programmed to it.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the KEY FOB
BATT (Battery) LOW message
displays in the DIC. See “KEY FOB
BATT (Battery) LOW” underKey
and Lock Messages
on page 5‑28for additional information. Notice:
When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the
notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-15
as a system check. If you are using
remote start to start the vehicle from
a distance, if equipped, you may not
see the system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the right front
passenger frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
are enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal and seat-mounted side
impact airbag.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light
on page 5‑14for more
information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly when the
ignition key is turned to START, but
the engine is not running, as a
check to show it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
The light should go out once the
engine starts. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the
charging system. This light could
indicate that there are problems with
a generator drive belt, or that there
is an electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. If the vehicle
must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories,
such as the radio and air
conditioner.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-45
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10‑19.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-50 Vehicle Care
.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.
.One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer for
service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match your vehicle's original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for your vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires on page 10‑54.
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer for
service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. Any time you
replace one or more of the TPMS
sensors or rotate the vehicle's tires,
the identification codes need to be
matched to the new tire/wheel
location. The sensors are matched,
to the tire/wheel locations, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear
tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your dealer for service. The TPMS sensors can also be
matched to each tire/wheel position
by increasing or decreasing the
tire's air pressure. When increasing
the tire's pressure, do not exceed
the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the tire's sidewall. To
decrease the tire's air-pressure use
the pointed end of the valve cap, a
pencil-style air pressure gage,
or a key.
You have two minutes to match
each tire and wheel position. If it
takes longer than two minutes to
match any tire and wheel position,
the matching process stops and you
need to start over.
The TPMS matching process is
outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to
ON/RUN with the engine off.
3. Press and hold the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter's LOCK and
UNLOCK buttons, at the same

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-61
WARNING (Continued)
To be certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from
the one being changed. That
would be the tire on the other
side, at the opposite end of the
vehicle.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant and
compressor kit. To use the jacking
equipment to change a spare tire
safely, follow the instructions below.
Then see Tire Changing
on
page 10‑68. To use the tire sealant
and compressor kit, see Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
on
page 10‑61.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.
{WARNING
Over-inflating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions
and inflate the tire to its
recommended pressure. Do not
exceed the recommended
pressure.

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for
correct sealant usage.
When using the tire sealant and
compressor kit during cold
temperatures, warm the kit in a
heated environment for five minutes.
This will help to inflate the tire
faster.If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers
on page 6‑4.
See If a Tire Goes Flat
on
page 10‑59for other important
safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects that
have penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
on
page 10‑68.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the power plug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise. 5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F)
onto the tire valve stem. Turn it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (G) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets
on
page 5‑7.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (B) clockwise to the Sealant + Air
position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-66 Vehicle Care
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inflate
a tire with air only and not sealant:
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers
on page 6‑4. See
If a Tire Goes Flat
on
page 10‑59for other important
safety warnings.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
on
page 10‑68.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (E) and the power plug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (E) onto the tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until it is tight. 6. Plug the power plug (G) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets
on
page 5‑7.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (B) counterclockwise to the Air Only
position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button to turn the compressor on.
The compressor will inflate the
tire with air only.