Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
278 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 279California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279California PerchlorateMaterials Requirements . . . . . 279Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281Engine CompartmentOverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 291Automatic TransmissionFluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 292Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 293Cooling System (PowerElectronics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 297Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Battery - North America . . . . . . 301Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 303Automatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303Park Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 303Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 304
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and ParkingLamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,Stoplamps, and Back-UpLamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 307Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,Stoplamps, and Back-UpLamps (LTZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 308Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices andWiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309Electrical System Overload . . . 310
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311Instrument Panel FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 320Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325Tire Pressure for High-SpeedOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327Tire Pressure MonitorOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331When It Is Time for NewTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Different Size Tires andWheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
288 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0288.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0288.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes0299.
6. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. SeeEngineCoolant0295.
7.Battery - North America0301.
8. Remote Positive (+) BatteryTe r m i n a l ( U n d e r C o v e r ) . S e eJump Starting - NorthAmerica0352.
9.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0311.
10. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0299.
11 . R e m o t e N e g a t i v e ( - ) B a t t e r yTe r m i n a l . S e eJump Starting -North America0352.
Engine Oil
To e n s u r e p r o p e r e n g i n eperformance and long life, carefulattention must be paid to engine oil.Following these simple, butimportant steps will help protectyour investment:
.Use engine oil approved to theproper specification and of theproper viscosity grade. See“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in this section.
.Check the engine oil levelregularly and maintain theproper oil level. See“CheckingEngine Oil”and“When to AddEngine Oil”in this section.
.Change the engine oil at theappropriate time. SeeEngine OilLife System0291.
.Always dispose of engine oilproperly. See“What to Do withUsed Oil”later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly(every 650 km (400 mi), especiallyprior to a long trip. The engine oildipstick handle is a loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overview0283for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center(DIC) message displays, check theoil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To g e t a n a c c u r a t e r e a d i n g , p a r kthe vehicle on level ground.Check the engine oil level afterthe engine has been off for atleast two hours. Checking theengine oil level on steep gradesor too soon after engine shutoffcan result in incorrect readings.Accuracy improves when
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
296 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0377.
Never dispose of engine coolant byputting it in the trash, or by pouringit on the ground, or into sewers,streams or bodies of water. Havethe coolant changed by anauthorized service center, familiarwith legal requirements regardingused coolant disposal. This will helpprotect the environment and yourhealth.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe coolant surge tank. If the coolantinside the coolant surge tank isboiling, do not do anything else untilit cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolantlevel is not at or above the markpointed to, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable water andDEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is coolbefore this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolantsurge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e b u r n e d i f y o u s p i l l
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 363
Original manufacturer replacementparts will provide the corrosionprotection while maintaining thevehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips andscratches with touch-up materialsavailable from your dealer to avoidcorrosion. Larger areas of finishdamage can be corrected in yourdealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall uponand attack painted vehicle surfacescausing blotchy, ring-shapeddiscolorations, and small, irregulardark spots etched into the paintsurface. See“Finish Care”previously in this section.
Interior Care
To p r e v e n t d i r t p a r t i c l e a b r a s i o n s ,regularly clean the vehicle's interior.Immediately remove any soils.Newspapers or dark garments cantransfer color to the vehicle’sinterior.
Use a soft bristle brush to removedust from knobs and crevices on theinstrument cluster. Using a mildsoap solution, immediately removehand lotions, sunscreen, and insectrepellent from all interior surfaces orpermanent damage may result.
Use cleaners specifically designedfor the surfaces being cleaned toprevent permanent damage. Applyall cleaners directly to the cleaningcloth. Do not spray cleaners on anyswitches or controls. Removecleaners quickly.
Before using cleaners, read andfollow all safety instructions on thelabel. While cleaning the interior,open the doors and windows to getproper ventilation.
To p r e v e n t d a m a g e , d o n o t c l e a nthe interior using the followingcleaners or techniques:
.Never use a razor or any othersharp object to remove soil fromany interior surface.
.Never use a brush with stiffbristles.
.Never rub any surfaceaggressively or with too muchpressure.
.Do not use laundry detergents ordishwashing soaps withdegreasers. For liquid cleaners,use approximately 20 drops per3.8 L (1 gal) of water.Aconcentratedsoapsolutionwillcreate streaks and attract dirt.Do not use solutions that containstrong or caustic soap.
.Do not heavily saturate theupholstery when cleaning.
.Do not use solvents or cleanerscontaining solvents.
Interior Glass
To c l e a n , u s e a t e r r y c l o t h f a b r i cdampened with water. Wipe dropletsleft behind with a clean dry cloth.If necessary, use a commercialglass cleaner after cleaning withplain water.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
370 Service and Maintenance
ayearandtheoillifesystemmustbe reset. Your trained dealertechnician can perform this work.If the engine oil life system is resetaccidentally, service the vehiclewithin 5 000 km/3,000 mi since thelast service. Reset the oil lifesystem when the oil is changed.SeeEngine Oil Life System0291.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended forthe vehicle, and perform thefollowing services. SeeTireRotation0331.
.Check engine oil level and oillife percentage. If needed,change engine oil and filter, andreset oil life system. SeeEngineOil0288andEngine Oil LifeSystem0291.
.Check engine coolant level. SeeEngine Coolant0295.
.Check windshield washer fluidlevel. SeeWasher Fluid0299.
.Visually inspect windshield wiperblades for wear, cracking,or contamination. SeeExteriorCare0358.Replacewornordamaged wiper blades. SeeWiper BladeReplacement0304.
.Check tire inflation pressures.SeeTire Pressure0325.
.Inspect tire wear. SeeTireInspection0331.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
.Inspect brake system. SeeExterior Care0358.
.Visually inspect steering,suspension, and chassiscomponents for damaged, loose,or missing parts or signs ofwear. SeeExterior Care0358.
.Check restraint systemcomponents. SeeSafety SystemCheck069.
.Visually inspect fuel system fordamage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust systemand nearby heat shields forloose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. SeeExterior Care0358.
.Check starter switch. SeeStarterSwitch Check0303.
.Check automatic transmissionshift lock control function. SeeAutomatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck0303.
.Check parking brake andautomatic transmission parkmechanism. SeePark Brake andP(Park)MechanismCheck0303.
.Check accelerator pedal fordamage, high effort, or binding.Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut forsigns of wear, cracks, or otherdamage. Check the hold openability of the strut. See yourdealer if service is required.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,if equipped. SeeSunroof052.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
400 OnStar
from each other and use acombination of letters, numbers,and symbols to increase thesecurity.
.Change the default name of theSSID (Service Set Identifier).This is your network’snamethatis visible to other wirelessdevices. Choose a unique nameand avoid family names orvehicle descriptions.
OnStar Wi-Fi®Hotspot (IfEquipped)
The vehicle may have a built-inWi-Fi hotspot that provides accessto the Internet and web content at4G LTE speed. Up to seven mobiledevices can be connected. A dataplan is required. Use the in-vehiclecontrols only when it is safe todo so.
1. To retrieve Wi-Fi hotspot
information, press=,waitfor
the prompt, then say“Wi-Fisettings.”On some vehicles,touch Wi-Fi Settings on thescreen.
2. The Wi-Fi settings will displaythe Wi-Fi hotspot name (SSID),password, and on somevehicles, the connection type(no Internet connection, 3G,4G, 4G LTE), and signal quality(poor, good, excellent).
3. To change the SSID or
password, pressQor call
1-888-4ONSTAR to connectwith an Advisor.
After initial set-up, your vehicle’sWi-Fi hotspot will connectautomatically to your mobiledevices. Manage data usage byturning Wi-Fi on or off on yourmobile device, using theRemoteLink mobile app, or bycontacting an OnStar Advisor.
OnStar RemoteLink®Mobile App(If Equipped)
Download the OnStar RemoteLinkmobile app to select Apple®iOS,Android™,BlackBerry®,or Windows®mobile devices.OnStar Subscribers can access thefollowing services from a mobiledevice:
.Remotely start/stop the vehicle,if factory-equipped.
.Lock/unlock doors, if equippedwith automatic locks.
.Activate the horn and lamps.
.Check the vehicle’sfuellevel,oillife, or tire pressure,if factory-equipped with the TirePressure Monitor System.
.Send directions to the vehicle.
.Locate the vehicle on a map(U.S. market only).
.Turn the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspoton/off, manage settings, andmonitor data consumption,if equipped.
For OnStar RemoteLink informationand compatibility, seewww.onstar.com (U.S.) orwww.onstar.ca (Canada).
Remote Services
Contact an OnStar Advisor tounlock the doors or sound the hornand flash the lamps.
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
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 413
Lights (cont'd)
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 120
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Service Electric Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
StabiliTrak®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®.......... 127
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . 128, 129
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Maintenance and Care
Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 369
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 122
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Media
Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . 184
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Messages
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 140
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Object Detection System . . . . . 142
Messages (cont'd)
Propulsion Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 145
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 49
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183