2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU power steering

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-4 Driving and Operating
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If your vehicle has electric power
steering it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
If the steering wheel is turned in
either direction several times until it
stops, or it is held until it is stopped
for an extended time, power
steering assist should return shortly
after a few normal steering
movements.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under Vehicle Messages
on page 5‑26.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds
to make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park.
At faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If the vehicle seems harder to steer
than normal when parking or driving
slowly, there may be a problem with
the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer
than normal at slow speeds.
See your dealer for service.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-5
Hydraulic Power Steering
If your vehicle has hydraulic
power steering, it may require
maintenance. See Power Steering
FluidPower Steering Fluid on
page 10‑22.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but may require increased
effort. See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before entering
a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve
.Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can
drop off the edge of a road onto
the shoulder while driving. Follow these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-17
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
9 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF): When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑21.
This position locks the ignition.
It also locks the transmission.
The key can only be removed in
LOCK/OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags. If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑29.{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over, and must be shut off while
driving, turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, the vehicle needs
service.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-12
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-28
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Taillamps, Turn Signal, andStoplamps (LS and LT) . . . . 10-30
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-33
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑22.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 10‑16. F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank.
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑16.
G. Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 10‑24.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑14. J. See
Battery on page 10‑26.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑35.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-22 Vehicle Care
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid is used in all
vehicles with the V6 engine.
Vehicles with the 4-cylinder engine
have electric power steering and
do not use power steering fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless a
leak is suspected in the system,
or an unusual noise is heard. A fluid
loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The fluid level should be between
the MIN (Minimum) and MAX
(Maximum) marks when the engine
is cold, and at the MAX mark when
the engine is hot. If the fluid is at the
MIN mark when the engine is cold
or hot, power steering fluid should
be added. The fluid level should be within the
crosshatch area on the dipstick.
If the fluid is at or below the ADD or
MIN mark on the dipstick, add just
enough fluid to bring the level within
the crosshatch area.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Always
use the proper fluid.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-36 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
4 Transmission Control
Module Ignition 1
5 Mass Airflow
Sensor (LY7)
6 Emission
7 Left Headlamp
Low-Beam
8 Horn
9 Right Headlamp
Low-Beam
10 Front Fog Lamps
11 Left Headlamp
High-Beam
12 Right Headlamp
High-Beam
13 Engine Control
Module BATT
14 Windshield Wiper
15 Antilock Brake
System (IGN 1) Fuses
Usage
16 Engine Control
Module IGN 1
17 Cooling Fan 1
18 Cooling Fan 2
19 Run Relay, Heating,
Ventilation, Air
Conditioning Blower
20 Body Control
Module 1
21 Body Control Module
Run/Crank
22 Rear Electrical
Center 1
23 Rear Electrical
Center 2
24 Antilock Brake
System
25 Body Control
Module 2
26 Starter Fuses
Usage
41 Electric Power
Steering
42 Transmission Control
Module Battery
43 Ignition Module
(LE9 & LE5);
Injectors, Ignition
Coils Odd (LY7)
44 Injectors (LE9 & LE5);
Injectors, Ignition
Coils Even (LY7)
45 Post Cat 02 Sensor
Heaters (LY7)
46 Daytime Running
Lamps
47 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp
50 Driver Power Window
51 Not Used
52 AIR Solenoid

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-38 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays and
features shown.Fuses Usage
POWER
MIRRORS Power Mirrors
EPS Electronic Power
Steering Fuses Usage
RUN/
CRANK Cruise Control
Switch, Passenger
Airbag Status
Indicator
HVAC
BLOWER
HIGH Heating Ventilation
Air Conditioning
Blower - High
Speed Relay
CLUSTER/
THEFT Instrument Panel
Cluster, Theft
Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®
(If Equipped)
NOT
INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG
(IGN) Airbag (Ignition)
HVAC
CTRL
(BATT) Heating Ventilation
Air Conditioning
Control Diagnostic
Link Connector
(Battery)