2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECU

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
3-52 Seats and Restraints
5. Pull the shoulder belt all the wayout of the retractor to set the
lock. When the retractor lock is
set, the belt can be tightened but
not pulled out of the retractor.6. To tighten the belt, push downon the child restraint, pull the
shoulder portion of the belt to
tighten the lap portion of the belt,
and feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor. When installing
a forward-facing child restraint, it
may be helpful to use your knee
to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
Try to pull the belt out of the
retractor to make sure the
retractor is locked. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat
Steps 5 and 6. 7. Before placing a child in the
child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To check,
grasp the child restraint at the
safety belt path and attempt to
move it side to side and back
and forth. When the child
restraint is properly installed,
there should be no more than
2.5 cm (1 in) of movement.
If the airbags are off, the off
indicator in the passenger airbag
status indicator will come on and
stay on when the vehicle is started.
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit, see “If the
On Indicator Is Lit for a Child
Restraint” underPassenger Sensing
System on page 3‑26.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and
let it return to the stowed position.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Storage 4-3
Center Console Storage
Pull up the latch and lift to open.
The center console has storage
under the armrest with a removable
divider to configure storage.
If equipped, it also has a USB port
and power outlet. SeePower
Outlets on page 5‑5. The armrest can be adjusted to a
rearward, middle, and forward
position. Pull or push the front of the
armrest to adjust to the desired
position.
If the vehicle has removable
cupholders, there is storage under
them. See
Cupholders on page 4‑2
to remove the cupholders.
Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Tie-Downs
There are cargo tie‐downs in the
trunk. The cargo tie‐downs can be
used to secure small loads or the
convenience net. See Convenience
Net on page 4‑3.
Convenience Net
For vehicles with a convenience net,
it is in the trunk and used to store
small loads. The net should not be
used to store heavy loads. Attach
the loops on each side of the net to
the cargo tie-downs in the trunk.
See Cargo Tie-Downs on page 4‑3.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . 5-11
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-12
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-12 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-14
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-20
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-22
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-22
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-23 Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Information Displays
Center Stack Display . . . . . . . . 5-24
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-28
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-29
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-30
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-30
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-31
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-31
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . 5-32

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine
oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Check the oil level as soon as
possible. Add oil if required, but
if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil
pressure is still low, have the
vehicle serviced. Always follow
the maintenance schedule for
changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
For vehicles with the uplevel or
eAssist cluster, this telltale displays
in the Driver Information Center
(DIC) screen.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, below the fuel gauge,
comes on briefly when the engine is
started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light then goes off.This light also comes on when the
fuel tank is low on fuel. When fuel is
added the light should go off. If it
does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
For vehicles with an uplevel or
eAssist cluster, this telltale displays
in the Driver Information Center
(DIC) screen.
Security Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when a
door is open or not securely latched.
Before driving, check that all doors
are properly closed.
Information Displays
Center Stack Display
Infotainment and vehicle
personalization information displays
in the center stack screen. See:
.The navigation system manual
andInfotainment on page 7‑1.
.Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑35.
The center stack controls only need
a light touch to operate and work
best with bare hands. The controls
will work with most gloves although
they may take longer to respond.
Use the finger pad rather than the
finger tip to minimize response time.
If the controls are not responding,
remove the gloves.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about
the vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. See Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑28. All messages appear in
the DIC display in the center of the
instrument cluster.
The vehicle may also have features
that can be customized through the
controls on the radio. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑35.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays,
which can be accessed by using the
DIC buttons on the turn signal lever
to the left of the steering wheel. The
DIC displays trip, fuel, vehicle
system information, and warning
messages if a system problem is
detected.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
5-32 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE
WARNING
This message may appear to
indicate that LDW is not working
properly. If this message remains on
after continued driving, the system
needs service. Take your vehicle to
your dealer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system. Do
not use this system to help you
park. SeeUltrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑39 for more information.
See your dealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message is displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak system.
If this message appears, try to reset
the system. Stop; turn off the engine
for at least 15 seconds; then start
the engine again. If this message
still comes on, it means there is a
problem. See your dealer for
service. The vehicle is safe to drive;
however, you do not have the
benefit of StabiliTrak, so reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
Security Messages
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the vehicle
detects a tamper condition.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE AC SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the air conditioning
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if there is a
problem with the power steering
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
5-40 Instruments and Controls
Return to Factory Settings
Select Return to Factory Settings for
the option to return all vehicle
personalization to the default
settings. Turn the TUNE/MENU
knob to select Yes or No. Press
TUNE/MENU to confirm and go
back to the last menu.
Universal Remote
System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑21 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Universal Remote System
Programming
If the vehicle has this feature, you
will see these buttons with one
indicator light next to them in the
overhead console.
This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Do not use the Universal Remote
system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and
reverse feature. This includes any
garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1,1982.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Remote system. Because
of the steps involved, it may be
helpful to have another person
available to assist with programming
the Universal Remote system.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future Universal
Remote system programming. It is
also recommended that upon the
sale of the vehicle, the programmed
Universal Remote system buttons
be erased for security purposes.
See
“Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons” later in this
section.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Driving and Operating 9-13
fuel, and cargo. Never exceed
the GVWR for the vehicle, or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if there is a heavy load, it
should be spread out. See
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit”earlier in this
section.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle. If you put things inside the
vehicle
—like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything
else —they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{WARNING
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
(Continued)
WARNING (CONTINUED)
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.