2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU towing

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
356 Vehicle Care
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle–such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
. What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
. 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 (1.5L Engine
without Active Shutters
RPO VRI)
Vehicles with active shutters cannot
be dinghy towed. To dinghy tow the vehicle from the
front with all four wheels on the
ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the towing
vehicle.
2. Start the engine and place vehicle in N (Neutral).
3. Press ENGINE START/STOP once to turn the engine off. See
Ignition Positions 0226
ii.
4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove fuses
F10 and F41, from the
instrument panel fuse block.
See Instrument Panel Fuse
Block 0316
ii.
Remember to reinstall the fuses
once the destination has been
reached.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Vehicle Care 357
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing (All Vehicles
except 1.5L Engine without
Active Shutters RPO VRI)
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the drive
unit could be damaged. Repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not tow the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground.Vehicles with these options are not
designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground.
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. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
358 Vehicle Care
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0376
ii.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
The
esymbol is on any
underhood compartment electrical
center that should not be power
washed. This could cause damage
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
368 Service and Maintenance
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 222
ii.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel 0267
ii.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving. .
Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0281
ii.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0289
ii.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 325
ii.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0331
ii.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Customer Information 389
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is not given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
. Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
. Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
event, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed within the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are reasonable
and customary hotel, meals,
rental car, or a vehicle being
delivered back to the customer,
up to 805 km (500 mi).Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
. Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
. Legal fines.
. Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
Service is not provided if a vehicle
is in an area that is not accessible
to the service vehicle or is not a
regularly traveled or maintained
public road, which includes ice and
winter roads. Off-road use is not
covered.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles
. Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is up to 7 liters. If available,
diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
. Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required. .
Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
150 km from where your trip was
started to qualify. General
Motors of Canada Limited
requires pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help to make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
. Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
permission to get local
emergency road service. You will
receive payment, up to $100,
after sending the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs not
covered by the warranty are the
owner responsibility.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
392 Customer Information
Limited Warranty, and any vehicle
failure related to such parts is not
covered by that warranty.
Repair Facility
GM also recommends that you
choose a collision repair facility that
meets your needs before you ever
need collision repairs. Your dealer
may have a collision repair center
with GM-trained technicians and
state-of-the-art equipment, or be
able to recommend a collision repair
center that has GM-trained
technicians and comparable
equipment.
Insuring the Vehicle
Protect your investment in the GM
vehicle with comprehensive and
collision insurance coverage. There
are significant differences in the
quality of coverage afforded by
various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide
reduced protection to the GM
vehicle by limiting compensation for
damage repairs through the use of
aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will notspecify aftermarket collision parts.
When purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you ensure that the
vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts.
If such insurance coverage is not
available from your current
insurance carrier, consider switching
to another insurance carrier.
If the vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to have
insurance that ensures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts or
Genuine Manufacturer replacement
parts. Read the lease carefully, as
you may be charged at the end of
the lease for poor quality repairs.If a Crash Occurs
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help. Do not
leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of.
Move the vehicle only if its position
puts you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
Roadside Assistance Program
0
388
ii.
Gather the following information:
. Driver name, address, and
telephone number.
. Driver license number.
. Owner name, address, and
telephone number.
. Vehicle license plate number.
. Vehicle make, model, and
model year.
. Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
. Insurance company and policy
number.
. General description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See “Collision Parts” earlier in this
section.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Index 411
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 253
Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129, 132
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 257
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 28
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 220
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 222
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 122
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311 Electrical System (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 284
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . 294, 295
Cooling System Messages . . . 138
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 233
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 396
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 161
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 163
F
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 164
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 293
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
412 Index
Front Pedestrian Braking(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 59
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 126
Requirements, California . . . . . 268
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 Gauges (cont'd)
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Power Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 367
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 164
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Headlamps (cont'd)
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 127
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 163
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 127
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 206
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 326
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 220
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64