Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Service and Maintenance 375
.To a v o i d b r e a k - d o w n o r f a i l u r e t ostart the vehicle, maintain abattery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians havethe diagnostic equipment to testthe battery and ensure that theconnections and cables arecorrosion-free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if theysqueak or show signs ofcracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians haveaccess to tools and equipmentto inspect the belts andrecommend adjustment orreplacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and arecrucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may includechirping, grinding, or squealingnoises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians haveaccess to tools and equipmentto inspect the brakes andrecommend quality partsengineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approvedfluids protect the vehicle’ssystemsand components. SeeRecommended Fluids andLubricants0377for GM approvedfluids.
.Engine oil and windshieldwasher fluid levels should bechecked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights maycome on to indicate that fluidsmay be low and need to befilled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and shouldbe regularly inspected to ensurethat there are no cracks or leaks.With a multi-point inspection, yourdealer can inspect the hoses andadvise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,taillamps, and brake lamps areimportant to see and be seen onthe road.
.Signs that the headlamps needattention include dimming, failureto light, cracking, or damage.The brake lamps need to bechecked periodically to ensurethat they light when braking.
.With a multi-point inspection,your dealer can check the lampsand note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in controlfor a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may includesteering wheel vibration, bounce/sway while braking, longerstopping distance, or uneventire wear.
.As part of the multi-pointinspection, trained dealertechnicians can visually inspectthe shocks and struts for signs
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Service and Maintenance 377
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Engine Coolant (Except 1.8L Hybrid) 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL®Coolant.
Engine Coolant and PowerElectronics Cooling System (1.8LHybrid Only)
Use Only Premix DEX-COOL®Coolant (GM Part No. 12378390, inCanada 10953456). SeeEngine Coolant0295.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1™specification of the proper SAE viscositygrade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. SeeEngineOil0288.
Hood Latch Assembly, SecondaryLatch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, andRelease Pawl
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, inCanada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2 CategoryLB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19299818, inCanada 19299819).
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and DoorHingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, inCanada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) orDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 10953481).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protectionrequirements.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
392 Customer Information
.Vehicle make, model, andmodel year.
.Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN).
.Insurance company and policynumber.
.General description of thedamage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facilitythat uses quality replacement parts.See“Collision Parts”earlier in thissection.
If the airbag has inflated, seeWhatWill You See after an AirbagInflates?075.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requiresdamage repairs, GM recommendsthat you take an active role in itsrepair. If you have a pre-determinedrepair facility of choice, take thevehicle there, or have it towed there.Specify to the facility that anyrequired replacement collision partsbe original equipment parts, eithernew Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,recycled parts will not be covered bythe GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,but you must live with the repair.Depending on your policy limits,your insurance company mayinitially value the repair usingaftermarket parts. Discuss this withthe repair professional, and insist onGenuine GM parts. Remember,if the vehicle is leased, you may beobligated to have the vehiclerepaired with Genuine GM parts,even if your insurance coveragedoes not pay the full cost.
If another party's insurancecompany is paying for the repairs,you are not obligated to accept arepair valuation based on thatinsurance company's collision policyrepair limits, as you have nocontractual limits with that company.In such cases, you can have controlof the repair and parts choices aslong as the cost stays withinreasonable limits.
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosisand repair information on theengines, transmission, axle,suspension, brakes, electrical,steering, body, etc.
Owner Information
Owner publications are writtenspecifically for owners and intendedto provide basic operationalinformation about the vehicle. TheOwner Manual includes theMaintenance Schedule for allmodels.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,Owner Manual, and WarrantyManual.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00–$40.00 (U.S.) plus handling andshipping fees.
Without Pouch: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling andshipping fees.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Customer Information 395
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with anevent data recorder (EDR). Themain purpose of an EDR is torecord, in certain crash or nearcrash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a roadobstacle, data that will assist inunderstanding how a vehicle’ssystems performed. The EDR isdesigned to record data related tovehicle dynamics and safetysystems for a short period of time,typically 30 seconds or less. TheEDR in this vehicle is designed torecord such data as:
.How various systems in yourvehicle were operating;
.Whether or not the driver andpassenger safety belts werebuckled/fastened;
.How far (if at all) the driver wasdepressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
.How fast the vehicle wastraveling.
These data can help provide abetter understanding of thecircumstances in which crashes andinjuries occur.
Note
EDR data are recorded by yourvehicle only if a non-trivial crashsituation occurs; no data arerecorded by the EDR under normaldriving conditions and no personaldata (e.g., name, gender, age, andcrash location) are recorded.However, other parties, such as lawenforcement, could combine theEDR data with the type ofpersonally identifying data routinelyacquired during a crashinvestigation.
To r e a d d a t a r e c o r d e d b y a n E D R ,special equipment is required, andaccess to the vehicle or the EDR isneeded. In addition to the vehiclemanufacturer, other parties, such aslaw enforcement, that have thespecial equipment, can read theinformation if they have access tothe vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access these data orshare it with others except: with theconsent of the vehicle owner or,if the vehicle is leased, with theconsent of the lessee; in responseto an official request by police orsimilar government office; as part ofGM's defense of litigation throughthe discovery process; or, asrequired by law. Data that GMcollects or receives may also beused for GM research needs or maybe made available to others forresearch purposes, where a need isshown and the data is not tied to aspecific vehicle or vehicle owner.
OnStar®
If the vehicle is equipped withOnStar®and has an activesubscription, additional data may becollected through the OnStarsystem. This includes informationabout the vehicle’soperation;collisions involving the vehicle; theuse of the vehicle and its features;and, in certain situations, thelocation and approximate GPSspeed of the vehicle. Refer to the
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 407
IndexA
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 245
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 277
Additional Information
OnStar®...................... 402
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Agreements
Trademarks and License . . . . . 202
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 292
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 208
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 77
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 72
Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 121
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Servicing Airbag-Equipped
Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Alarm
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Alert
Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 263
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Antenna
Backglass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 236
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
408 Index
Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Armrest
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Assistance Systems for
Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 253
Audio
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 172
Automatic
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Avoiding Untrusted Media
Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
B
Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Battery
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Battery - North America . . . . 301, 352
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 304
Bluetooth
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 191, 195
Brake
Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 124
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 240
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Braking System
Front Pedestrian (FPB) . . . . . . . 261
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 225
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 308
Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,
Stoplamps, and
Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . 307, 308
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
California
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .279, 301, 352
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
410 Index
Door (cont'd)
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 382
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 252
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131, 134
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 257
Characteristics and
To w i n g T i p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 2
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 219
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 221
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 124
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Emergency
OnStar®...................... 398
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 283
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . 293, 294
Cooling System Messages . . . 140
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine (cont'd)
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 233
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 395
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 163
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 165
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
F
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 166
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 292
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
412 Index
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 208
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Indicator
Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Information
Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . 112, 114
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . 6
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 49
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 141
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 32
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 320
Lamps
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 165
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 122
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . 264
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 266
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 125
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Te t h e r s f o r C h i l d r e n . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 0
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Light
Ready Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Vehicle Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 167
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 124
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 124
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 128
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 165
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . 128, 129