Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
218 Driving and Operating
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underService Vehicle
Messages 0143
ii. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
362 Vehicle Care
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts,
including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, master
cylinder, brake fluid reservoir,
vacuum pipes, electric vacuum
pump including bracket and vent
hose, if equipped.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, decklid hinges, 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
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See“Finish Care”
previously in this section.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
374 Service and Maintenance
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0376
iifor GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
414 Index
Lights (cont'd)Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . 125
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 126
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 368 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 120
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Messages
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Battery Voltage andCharging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Object Detection System . . . . . 140
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 142
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Mirrors
Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 48
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
N
Navigation OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 226
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289