2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU warning

Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-79
Storing a Flat Tire and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
To store the flat tire and jack in the
compact spare tire compartment:
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on
page 2‑9.
2. Remove the bolt extension (in the yellow sleeve) from the
jack and remove the center cap
from the wheel.
3. Collapse the wrench using thesame button used to extend it.
4. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench
into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench
handle over the tab on the side
of the jack.5. Raise the jack to the heightshown and lock the wrench onto
the jack.

Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-81
The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 10‑82.
Storing the Spare Tire and
Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on
page 2‑9.
2. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it.
3. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench
into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench
handle over the tab on the side
of the jack.4. Raise the jack to the heightshown and lock the wrench onto
the jack.

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-82 Vehicle Care
5. Place the jack in the spare tirewell. Make sure the stow bolt
goes through the hole in the
center of the wrench on the jack,
with the base of the jack towards
the front of the vehicle. Turn the
jack retainer nut until it firmly
contacts the wrench. Do not
over tighten.
6. Place the compact spare into the tire compartment with the stow
bolt going through the center
hole of the wheel.
7. Turn the spare tire retainer nut until it firmly contacts the wheel.
Do not over tighten.Compact Spare Tire
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire it was fully inflated when the
vehicle was new, however, it can
lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should
be 60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, stop as soon as
possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inflated.
The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to
3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
finish your trip and have the full-size
tire repaired or replaced at your
convenience. Of course, it is best to
replace the spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible. The spare tire
will last longer and be in good
shape in case it is needed again.
Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails.
The compact spare can get
caught on the rails which can
damage the tire, wheel, and other
parts of the vehicle.

Black plate (83,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-83
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery on
page 10‑26.
If the battery has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle
and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the
following steps to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle
does not have a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged.

Black plate (84,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-84 Vehicle Care
2. Get the vehicles close enoughso the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are,
it could cause a ground
connection you do not want.
You would not be able to start
your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
N (Neutral) before setting the
parking brake. Notice:
If the radio or other
accessories are left on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories when
jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle.
Your vehicle's positive (+)
terminal and negative (–)
terminal are located under a
black cover on the battery. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for
more information on location.
Remove the cover to access the
positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals.
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need
more light.
(Continued)

Black plate (85,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-85
WARNING (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.5. Check that the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some things you should
know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
dead battery because this can
cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the
good battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.

Black plate (95,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-95
If the soil is not completely
removed, it may be necessary to
use a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. Test a small
hidden area for colorfastness before
using a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ring
formation occurs, clean the entire
fabric or carpet.
Following the cleaning process,
a paper towel can be used to blot
excess moisture.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution.Notice:
Soaking or saturating
leather, especially perforated
leather, as well as other interior
surfaces, may cause permanent
damage. Wipe excess moisture
from these surfaces after
cleaning and allow them to dry
naturally. Never use heat, steam,
spot lifters or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change
the appearance and feel of leather
or soft trim and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increase
gloss, especially on the instrument
panel. Reflected glare can decrease
visibility through the windshield
under certain conditions. Notice:
Use of air fresheners may
cause permanent damage to
plastics and painted surfaces.
If an air freshener comes in
contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle,
blot immediately and clean with a
soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution. Damage caused by
air fresheners would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they might not be able
to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.

Black plate (96,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-96 Vehicle Care
Floor Mats
{WARNING
If a floor mat is the wrong size or
is not properly installed, it can
interfere with the accelerator
pedal and/or brake pedal.
Interference with the pedals can
cause unintended acceleration
and/or increased stopping
distance which can cause a crash
and injury. Make sure the floor
mat does not interfere with the
pedals.Use the following guidelines for
proper floor mat usage.
.The original equipment floor
mats were designed for your
vehicle. If the floor mats need
replacing, it is recommended
that GM certified floor mats be
purchased. Non-GM floor mats
may not fit properly and may
interfere with the accelerator or
brake pedal. Always check that
the floor mats do not interfere
with the pedals.
.Use the floor mat with the
correct side up. Do not turn
it over.
.Do not place anything on top of
the driver side floor mat.
.Use only a single floor mat on
the driver side.
.Do not place one floor mat on
top of another.
The driver side floor mat is held in
place by two hooks.
Removing and Replacing the
Floor Mat
1. Pull up on the rear of the mat to
remove it from the hooks.
2. Reinstall the floor mat by lining up the openings in the floor mat
over the hooks and push it down
into position.
3. Make sure the floor mat is properly secured and verify that
it does not interfere with the
pedals.