Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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232 Driving and Operating
the shift lever into P (Park), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever
away from P (Park) without first
pressing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in
P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly, then it is difficult to
shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see“Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park). If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 273
ii.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to
prevent movement of the shift lever
out of P (Park), unless the ignition is
in ON/RUN and the brake pedal is
applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0352
ii.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Place the ignition in ON/RUN.
3. Press the shift lever button. 4. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem
shifting, see your dealer.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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280 Vehicle Care
Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 351
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
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.
See
Battery - North America 0302
iiand Jump Starting - North America
0 352ii.
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
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 285
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
7. Battery - North America 0302
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.
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Vehicle Care 287
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid Fill Cap. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid 0293
ii.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii. 9. Power Electronics Coolant
Reservoir. See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii.
12. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.
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Vehicle Care 289
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
7. Battery - North America 0302
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0291
ii.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0 284
iifor the location of the engine
oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
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Vehicle Care 303
{Warning
Damage to the high voltage
battery or high voltage system
can create a risk of electric shock,
overheating, or fire.
If the vehicle is damaged from a
moderate to severe crash, flood,
fire, or other event, the vehicle
should be inspected as soon as
possible. Until the vehicle has
been inspected, store it outside at
least 15 m (50 ft) from any
structure or anything that can
burn. Ventilate the vehicle by
opening a window or a door.
Contact Customer Assistance as
soon as possible to determine
whether an inspection is needed.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices
0 386
ii. Stop/Start System
If equipped with the 1.5L L4 engine,
the vehicle has a stop/start system
to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See
Starting the
Engine 0228
ii.
Vehicles with a 1.5L engine have an
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12-volt
battery. Installation of a standard
12-volt battery will result in reduced
12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. SeeCalifornia
Proposition 65 Warning 0280
ii.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
iifor tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
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352 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
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.
Caution
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 - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle 12-volt battery, see Battery -
North America 0302
ii.
If the battery has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle
and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the
following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. SeeCalifornia
Proposition 65 Warning 0280
ii.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
. They contain acid that can
burn you.
. They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
. They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to the vehicle
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Trying to start
the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage
the vehicle.
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Vehicle Care 353
1.5L L4 Engine Shown, 2.0L L4Engine Similar
1. Discharged Battery RemotePositive Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Remote Negative Terminal
3. Good Battery Remote Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Remote Positive Terminal
1.8L L4 Engine
1. Discharged Battery RemotePositive Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Remote Negative Terminal
3. Good Battery Remote Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Remote Positive Terminal
The vehicle has a remote
positive (+) terminal under a trim
cover. It is under the cover of the
engine compartment fuse block on
the driver side of the engine compartment. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0284
ii. You
should always use this remote
positive (+) terminal.
The jump start negative ground
terminal for the discharged battery
is on the shock tower on the driver
side of the engine compartment.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic