
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
146 Instruments and Controls
STEERING ASSIST IS
REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE
This message can appear forseveral reasons. Take the vehicle toyour dealer if the problem persists.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
INITIALIZING—WAIT TO
SHIFT
In extreme cold temperatures thehybrid vehicle can take up to30 seconds to start. Wait to shiftfrom P (Park) while the vehicle isstarting.
PRESS BRAKE TO START
This message displays whenattempting to start the vehiclewithout first pressing the brakepedal.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is aproblem with the Tire PressureMonitor System (TPMS). SeeTirePressure Monitor Operation0328.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when thesystem is learning new tires. SeeTire Pressure MonitorOperation0328.
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire PressureMonitor System (TPMS), thismessage displays when thepressure in one or more of thevehicle's tires is low.
The low tire pressure warning lightwill also come on. SeeTirePressure Light0127.
If a tire pressure message displays,inflate the tires until the tire pressureis equal to the values shown on theTire and Loading Information label.SeeTires0317,Vehicle LoadLimits0325,andTirePressure0325.
More than one tire pressuremessage can be received at a time.The DIC also shows the tirepressure values. SeeDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0131orDriver InformationCenter (DIC) (Uplevel)0134.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays if there is aproblem with the transmission. Seeyour dealer.
SHIFT DENIED
This message displays whenattempting to use the automatictransmission manual mode to shiftto too low or too high of a gear. SeeManual Mode0235.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 147
SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL
(Hybrid)
This message displays when thevehicle should be shifted fromN(Neutral). If the vehicle is notshifted from N (Neutral) after sometime, the vehicle will shut off andrequire a restart. While inN(Neutral),thevehiclewillnotbeable to charge the high voltagebattery.
SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays when thetransmission needs to be shifted toP(Park). This may appear whenturning the ignition off or removingthe key from the vehicle if thevehicle is not in P (Park).
TRANSMISSION HOT—IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chimesounds if the transmission fluid inthe vehicle gets hot. Driving with thetransmission fluid temperature highcan cause damage to the vehicle.Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool. Thismessage clears when the fluidtemperature reaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when iceconditions are possible.
Window Messages
OPEN, THEN CLOSE DRIVER
WINDOW
This message is displayed when thewindow needs to be reprogrammed.If the vehicle's battery has beenrecharged or disconnected, you willneed to reprogram the front windowfor the express-up feature to work.SeePower Windows050.
Vehicle
Personalization
Personalization Menu (Radio
without Touchscreen)
The audio system controls are usedto access the personalizationmenus for customizing vehiclefeatures.
The following are all possiblepersonalization features. Dependingon the vehicle, some may not beavailable.
MENU :Turn to scroll through themenus or setup items. Press toenter the menus and select themenu items.
BACK :Press to exit or return tothe previous screen or menu.
To a c c e s s a m e n u :
1. Press MENU.
2. Turn MENU to thedesired menu.
3. Press MENU to select.
Menus and functions may varydepending on vehicle options.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
160 Instruments and Controls
instructions refer to a garage dooropener, but can be used for otherdevices.
Do not use the Universal Remotesystem with any garage door openerthat does not have the stop andreverse feature. This includes anygarage door opener modelmanufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read these instructions completelybefore programming the UniversalRemote system. It may help to haveanother person assist with theprogramming process.
Keep the original hand-heldtransmitter for use in other vehiclesas well as for future programming.Erase the programming whenvehicle ownership is terminated.See“Erasing Universal RemoteSystem Buttons”later in thissection.
To p r o g r a m a g a r a g e d o o r o p e n e r ,park outside directly in line with andfacing the garage door openerreceiver. Clear all people andobjects near the garage door.
Make sure the hand-held transmitterhas a new battery for quick andaccurate transmission of theradio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Remote System
For questions or help programmingthe Universal Remote system, call1-800-355-3515 or seewww.homelink.com.
Programming involvestime-sensitive actions, and may timeout causing the procedure to berepeated.
To p r o g r a m u p t o t h r e e d e v i c e s :
1. Hold the end of the hand-heldtransmitter about 3 to 8 cm (1to 3 in) away from theUniversal Remote systembuttons with the indicator lightin view. The hand-heldtransmitter was supplied by themanufacturer of the garagedoor opener receiver.
2. At the same time, press andhold both the hand-heldtransmitter button and one ofthe three Universal Remote
system buttons to be used tooperate the garage door. Donot release either button untilthe indicator light changes fromaslowtoarapidflash.Thenrelease both buttons.
Some garage door openersmay require substitution ofStep 2 with the procedureunder“Radio Signals forCanada and Some GateOperators”later in this section.
3. Press and hold the newlyprogrammed Universal Remotesystem button for five secondswhile watching the indicatorlight and garage dooractivation.
.If the indicator light stays oncontinuously or the garagedoor moves when thebutton is pressed, thenprogramming is complete.There is no need tocomplete Steps 4–6.
.If the indicator light doesnot come on or the garagedoor does not move, asecond button press may

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 161
be required. For a secondtime, press and hold thenewly programmed buttonfor five seconds. If the lightstays on or the garage doormoves, programming iscomplete.
.If the indicator light blinksrapidly for two seconds,then changes to a solid lightand the garage door doesnot move, continue withprogramming Steps 4–6.
Learn or Smart Button
4. After completing Steps 1–3,locate the Learn or Smartbutton inside garage on thegarage door opener receiver.
The name and color of thebutton may vary bymanufacturer.
5. Press and release the Learn orSmart button. Step 6 must becompleted within 30 seconds ofpressing this button.
6. Inside the vehicle, press andhold the newly programmedUniversal Remote systembutton for two seconds andthen release it. If the garagedoor does not move or thelamp on the garage dooropener receiver does not flash,press and hold the samebutton a second time fortwo seconds, then release it.Again, if the door does notmove or the garage door lampdoes not flash, press and holdthe same button a third time fortwo seconds, then release it.
The Universal Remote systemshould now activate thegarage door.
Repeat the process forprogramming the two remainingbuttons.
Radio Signals for Canada and
Some Gate Operators
For questions or programming helpcall 1-800-355-3515 or seewww.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws andsome U.S. gate operators requiretransmitter signals to time out or quitafter several seconds oftransmission. This may not be longenough for the Universal Remotesystem to pick up the signal duringprogramming.
If the programming did not work,replace Step 2 under“Programmingthe Universal Remote System”withthe following:
Press and hold the UniversalRemote system button whilepressing and releasing thehand-held transmitter button everytwo seconds until the signal hasbeen successfully accepted by theUniversal Remote system. TheUniversal Remote system indicatorlight will flash slowly at first and thenrapidly. Proceed with Step 3 under“Programming the Universal RemoteSystem”to complete.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
214 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 215Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 216Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 217Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 218Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 219Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 221Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 225Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 227Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 231Parking over ThingsThat Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 233Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 238Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 240Regenerative Braking(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 245
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 252Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 253
Assistance Systems forDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258Forward AutomaticBraking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260Front Pedestrian Braking(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261Side Blind ZoneAlert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 264Lane DepartureWarning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 266
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 269Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 219
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Watercan build up under the vehicle'stires so they actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road iswet enough and you are going fastenough. When the vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or nocontact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule abouthydroplaning. The best advice is toslow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wetweather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wipingequipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluidreservoir filled.
.Have good tires with propertread depth. SeeTires0317.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or throughmountains is different than drivingon flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and ingood shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,tires, cooling system, andtransmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when goingdown steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep thevehicle in its own lane. Do notswing wide or cross thecenter line.
.Be alert on top of hills;something could be in your lane(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special roadsigns (e.g., falling rocks area,winding roads, long grades,passing or no-passing zones)and take appropriate action.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 221
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highestsetting. See“ClimateControl Systems.”
For more information about CO,
seeEngine Exhaust0232.
To s a v e f u e l , r u n t h e e n g i n e f o rshort periods to warm the vehicleand then shut the engine off andpartially close the window. Movingabout to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,when running the engine, push theaccelerator pedal slightly so theengine runs faster than the idlespeed. This keeps the batterycharged to restart the vehicle and tosignal for help with the headlamps.Do this as little as possible, tosave fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin thewheels to free the vehicle whenstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn thetraction system off and use therocking method. SeeTr a c t i o nControl/Electronic StabilityControl0241.
{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 andright to clear the area around thefront wheels. Turn off any tractionsystem. Shift back and forthbetween R (Reverse) and a lowforward gear, spinning the wheelsas little as possible. To preventtransmission wear, wait until thewheels stop spinning before shiftinggears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and presslightly on the accelerator pedalwhen the transmission is in gear.Slowly spinning the wheels in theforward and reverse directionscauses a rocking motion that couldfree the vehicle. If that does not getthe vehicle out after a few tries, itmight need to be towed out. If thevehicle does need to be towed out,seeTo w i n g t h e V e h i c l e0355.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
226 Driving and Operating
Pressing the button cycles it throughthree modes: ACC/ACCESSORY,ON/RUN/START, and Stopping theEngine/LOCK/OFF.
The RKE transmitter must be in thevehicle for the system to operate.If the pushbutton start is notworking, the vehicle may be near astrong radio antenna signal causinginterference to the Keyless Accesssystem. SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation032.
To s h i f t o u t o f P ( P a r k ) , t h e v e h i c l emust be in ACC/ACCESSORY orON/RUN and the brake pedal mustbe applied.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No Indicator Lights) :Whenthe vehicle is stopped, pressENGINE START/STOP once to turnthe engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), theignition will turn off, and RetainedAccessory Power (RAP) will remainactive. SeeRetained AccessoryPower (RAP)0230.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), theignition will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display themessage SHIFT TO PARK in theDriver Information Center (DIC).SeeTr a n s m i s s i o n M e s s a g e s0146.When the vehicle is shifted intoP(Park), the ignition system willswitch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when thevehicle is moving. This will cause aloss of power assist in the brakeand steering systems and disablethe airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in anemergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump thebrakes repeatedly. This maydeplete power assist, requiringincreased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).This can be done while thevehicle is moving. After shiftingto N (Neutral), firmly apply thebrakes and steer the vehicle toasafelocation.
3. Come to a complete stop, shiftto P (Park), and turn theignition to OFF. On vehicleswith an automatic transmission,the shift lever must be inP(Park) to turn the ignitionswitch to the OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake0237.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled overand must be shut off while driving,press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for longer than two seconds,or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (AmberIndicator Light) :This mode allowsyou to use some electricalaccessories when the engine is off.