
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
222 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0233
ii.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 241
ii.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0355
ii.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
230 Driving and Operating
AUTO STOP. SeeTachometer
(Non-Hybrid) 0115ii. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal pushed, the engine will
restart.
Auto Stop may be deactivated if:
. A minimum vehicle speed is not
reached.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range,
typically below −10 °C (14 °F) or
above 50 °C (122 °F).
. The shift lever is in any gear
other than D (Drive).
. The battery has been recently
disconnected.
. The battery charge is low.
. The interior comfort level has not
reached the required level for
the climate control system or
defog settings. Use the eco
(green indicator on) air
conditioning mode for better efficiency. See
Climate Control
Systems 0206iiand Dual
Automatic Climate Control
System 0209
ii.
. The Auto Stop time is greater
than two minutes.
Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater,
if available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the
vehicle. An internal thermostat in
the plug end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is on the
passenger side of the engine
compartment, between the
fender and the air cleaner.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a fire. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 273
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
When towing with the 2.0L L4
engine, only use unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 89 or
higher. Using gasoline with a lower
octane rating while towing may
damage the engine and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeFuel 0267
ii.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0355
ii. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0356
ii.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing.
. Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive)
but M (Manual Mode) is
recommended. See Manual
Mode 0235
ii. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
. Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing. .
Turn off Front Automatic Braking
when towing. See Front
Automatic Braking (FAB) System
0 259
ii.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 233
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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336 Vehicle Care
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistanceto the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels may need
to be rebalanced. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
410 Index
ChargingWireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 119
Check Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 83
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 97
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 206 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 110, 112
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 391
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 340
Connections
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Engine Temperature Gauge . . .117
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 294, 295 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 246
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 393
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 391
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 396
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Display
Center Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 383
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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416 Index
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 356
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 81
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 395
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Ride Control Systems Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 383
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 68
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 67
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 395
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Safety Defects Reporting (cont'd)
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 390
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . . 59
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 56
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 56
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 95, 97
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 206
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 281