2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU towing

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-16 Driving and Operating
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these
guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 805 km
(500 miles). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 miles) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer Towing
on page 9‑46 for the trailer
towing capabilities of
the vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four
different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the
ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal must be applied.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-21
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.Heated Seats (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features continue to work up
to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF.
The power windows, heated seats,
and sunroof will work until any door
is opened.
The radio continues to work until
the driver door is opened.
All these features operate when
the key is in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY.
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑42. 1. Hold the brake pedal down
and set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on page 9‑29
for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing the shift
lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-24 Driving and Operating
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
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 9‑23.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 9‑21.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑42.
Automatic
Transmission
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park): This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-25
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9‑21. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Trailer Towing on
page 9‑46. Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
brake pedal then press the shift
lever button before you can shift
from P (Park) while the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift
out of P (Park), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift
lever all the way into P (Park) as
you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into
another gear. See
Shifting out of
Park on page 9‑22. R (Reverse):
Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
see If the Vehicle Is Stuck on
page 9‑10.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-29
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, push down
the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5‑18.
To release the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push down
momentarily on the parking brake
pedal with your left foot until you feel the pedal release. If the parking
brake is not released when you
begin to drive, the brake system
warning light comes on and a chime
sounds as a warning that the
parking brake is still on.
The PUSH PARK PEDAL message
will also display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) as a
reminder to release the parking
brake. See
Brake System Messages
on page 5‑27.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑42.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or
brake pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-36 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
The eighth digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine.
The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 12‑1.
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑39. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑36.
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine
(VIN Code 1) or the 2.4L L4 engine
(VIN Code U), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, an audible knocking
noise, commonly referred to as
spark knock, might be heard when
driving. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code 7), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best
performance or trailer towing, you
could choose to use middle grade
89 octane unleaded gasoline.
If the octane rating is less than 87,
an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-42 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving
while towing a trailer, see
“Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see“Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment
to tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.” For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑87. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑87.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well —or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer when
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. For trailering
capacity, see Trailer Towing on
page 9‑46. Trailering changes
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
With the added weight, the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and
tires are forced to work harder and
under greater loads. The trailer also
adds wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements. For safe
trailering, correctly use the proper
trailering equipment.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-43
The following information has
important trailering tips and rules
for your safety and that of your
passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Pulling a Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle or other
parts could be damaged.
.During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over
80 km/h (50 mph) and do not
make starts at full throttle.
This reduces wear on the
vehicle.
.The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
.Obey speed limit restrictions.
Do not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers, or no more than
90 km/h (55 mph), to reduce
wear on the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working.During the trip, check regularly to be
sure that the load is secure, and the
lamps and trailer brakes are working
properly.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.