
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Vehicle Care 10-3
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
10-26 Vehicle Care
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑29.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑29.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move. 3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Vehicle Care 10-43
FusesUsage
3 Left Stoplamp, Left DRL Lamp,
Headlamp Control,
Right Taillamp, Right
Park/Sidemarker
Lamps, Right Mirror
Turn, Right Front
Turn Signals
4 Radio
5 OnStar
6 Front Accessory Power Outlet
7 Console Bin Power Outlet Fuses
Usage
8 License Plate Lamp, Center
High-Mounted
Stoplamp, Rear Fog
Lamps, Right Front
Park/Sidemarker
Lamps, LED
Indicator Dim,
Washer Pump, Right
Stoplamp, Trunk
Release
9 Left Low-Beam Headlamp, DRL
10 Body Control Module 8 (J-Case
Fuse), Power Locks
11 Front Heater Ventilation Air
Conditioning/Blower
(J-Case Fuse)
12 Passenger Seat (Circuit Breaker)
13 Driver Seat (Circuit Breaker) Fuses
Usage
14 Diagnostic Link Connector
15 Airbag, SDM
16 Trunk Release
17 Heater Ventilation Air Conditioning
Controller
18 Audio Main
19 Displays
20 Passenger Occupant Sense
21 Instrument Cluster
22 Ignition Switch
23 Right Low-Beam Headlamp, DRL
24 Ambient Light, Switch Backlighting
(LED), Trunk Lamp,
Shift Lock, Key
Capture

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
10-58 Vehicle Care
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off or place the
vehicle power mode in ON/RUN/
START. See Ignition Positions
(Key Access) on page 9‑14 or
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9‑16.
3. Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information Menu in
the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure Menu Item
screen.
5. Press the SET/CLR button to begin the sensor matching
process.
A message asking if the process
should begin should appear. 6. Press the SET/CLR button again
to confirm the selection.
The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and the TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message displays on
the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8. 11. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 8. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or press STOP to turn the
ignition off.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected
for signs of wear or damage at
least once a month.

Black plate (90,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
10-90 Vehicle Care
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only.
The vehicle will perform differently
with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h
(50 mph). To conserve the tread of
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.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.
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 the
chains. Do not use tire chains on
the compact spare.Jump Starting
Jump Starting (On-board
with eAssist Only)
If the vehicle fails to crank, it may
be jump started by using the eAssist
battery to charge the 12-volt battery.
Use the following procedure to
activate the on-board jump start
using the DIC controls.
DIC Buttons
1. SET/CLR
2.
w/x(Thumbwheel)
3. MENU
The vehicle may be equipped with
an ignition key or an electronic
keyless ignition with pushbutton
start.

Black plate (91,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Vehicle Care 10-91
Key Access
Place the ignition key in the ON/
RUN position and proceed as
follows:
1. Press MENU (3) on the turnsignal lever until Vehicle
Information Menu is displayed.
Use
w/x(Thumbwheel) (2) to
scroll through the menu items
until Jump Start is displayed.
2. Press SET/CLR (1) to activate the jump start.
3. The system will then ask for confirmation. If yes is selected,
the jump start will begin and the
display will show JUMP START
ACTIVE WAIT TO START.
4. When the jump start is complete, the display will show JUMP
START COMPLETE ATTEMPT
START. Keyless Access
With the brake pedal not applied,
press and hold the ENGINE
START/STOP button for more than
five seconds. This will place the
vehicle in the Service Only Mode.
Proceed as follows:
1. Press MENU (3) on the turn
signal lever until Vehicle
Information Menu is displayed.
Use
w/x(Thumbwheel) (2) to
scroll through the menu items
until Jump Start is displayed.
2. Press SET/CLR (1) to activate the jump start.
3. The system will then ask for confirmation. If yes is selected,
the jump start will begin and the
display will show JUMP START
ACTIVE WAIT TO START.
4. When the jump start is complete, the display will show JUMP
START COMPLETE ATTEMPT
START. If the vehicle is started, the
on-board jump start function will
be automatically disabled. If the
vehicle cranks but does not start,
the procedure may be repeated
again. If the vehicle start is still
unsuccessful, the jump start can be
attempted using the following jump
starting procedure under
“Jump
Starting (with or without eAssist).”
On-board jump starting may be
unavailable due to the 12-volt
battery charge level, the eAssist
battery charge level, power
capability, or an issue with the
eAssist system. In these cases, the
display will not be available because
of the power issue, or the DIC will
display JUMP START DISABLED
SEE OWNERS MANUAL.

Black plate (96,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
10-96 Vehicle Care
.How far will the vehicle be
towed? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Does the vehicle have the
proper towing equipment? See
your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. If the vehicle must be
towed, a dolly should be used. See
“Dolly Towing” later in this section.
Dolly Towing
Tow the vehicle with the two rear
wheels on the ground and the front
wheels on a dolly.
To tow the vehicle with two wheels
on the ground and a dolly:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the key from the
ignition.

Black plate (99,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Vehicle Care 10-99
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim —Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride. These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as ice
and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice:
To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect the front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.