
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 235
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant mixture. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0319 and
Maintenance Schedule 0309.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0238.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
238 Vehicle Care
5. Replace the cap tightly.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster to warn of engine
overheating. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0103.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. Contact
your dealer for additional
information.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
256 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Mini
Fuses Usage
1 Transmission Control Module Battery
2 Engine Control Module Battery (LTG)/
Air Conditioning
Compressor
Clutch (LKW)
3 Air Conditioning Compressor
Clutch (LTG)
4 Air Conditioning Compressor
Clutch (LTG)
5 Engine Control Module Battery (LKW)
7 Engine Control Module Ignition (LKW)
8 Spare
9 Ignition Coils
10 Engine Control Module Mini
Fuses Usage
11 Emissions
13 Transmission Module Ignition
14 Cabin Heater Coolant Pump
15 Spare
16 Aero Shutter
17 Spare
18 R/C Dual Battery Isolator Module
20 Transmission Auxiliary Oil
Pump (LKW)
23 Spare (LKW)
29 Left Seat Power Lumber Control
30 Right Seat Power Lumber Control
31 Chassis Control Module
32 Back-Up Lamps/ Interior Lamps Mini
Fuses Usage
33 Front Heated Seats
34 Antilock Brake System Valve
35 Amplifier
37 Right High Beam
38 Left High Beam
46 Cooling Fan
47 Emissions
48 Foglamp
49 Low Beam HID Headlamp Right
50 Low Beam HID Headlamp Left
51 Horn/Dual Horn
52 Cluster Ignition
53 Inside Rearview Mirror/Rear Camera/
Fuel Module Ignition
54 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Module Ignition

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
260 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much
flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious
crash. SeeVehicle Load
Limits 0183.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently
to maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold.
.Overinflated tires are
more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact —such
as when hitting a pothole.
Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
.Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the
tread is badly worn,
replace them.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Replace any tires that
have been damaged by
impacts with potholes,
curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an
authorized tire service
center should repair,
replace, dismount, and
mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
See Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation 0268 for
inflation pressure adjustment for
high-speed driving.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 267
determined by tire
manufacturers using
government testing procedures.
The ratings are molded into the
sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading 0277.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The
number of designated seating
positions multiplied by
68 kg (150 lb) plus the rated
cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0183.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire
:Load on an individual tire
due to curb weight, accessory
weight, occupant weight, and
cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” underVehicle
Load Limits 0183.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of
air pressure to operate
effectively.
Caution
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good.
Underinflated tires, or tires
that do not have enough air,
can result in:
.Tire overloading and
overheating which could
lead to a blowout.
.Premature or
irregular wear.
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
Overinflated tires, or tires that
have too much air, can
result in:
.Unusual wear.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from
road hazards.
The Tire and Loading
Information label on the vehicle
indicates the original equipment
tires and the correct cold tire
inflation pressures. The
recommended pressure is the
minimum air pressure needed to
support the vehicle's maximum
load carrying capacity. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0183.
How the vehicle is loaded
affects vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load the vehicle
with more weight than it was
designed to carry.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Index 351
Child RestraintsInfants and Young Children . . . . . 76
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 90
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 167
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 332
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 281
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Temperature Gauge . . 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Customer Information Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 334
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 332
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 337
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Display Center Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 324
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
352 Index
Driving (cont'd)Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 23
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 181
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 183
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Track Events and
Competitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 229
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Cooling System Messages . . . .117
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 197
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 337
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 132
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 132
F
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 134
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 233
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 135, 248
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Index 353
Fuel (cont'd)Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 111
Requirements, California . . . . . 216
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 308
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 134
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 132
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . .112
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 167
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 268
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 181
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 201
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 187, 189
Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . 6