
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 241
SeeWarning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators0111andDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0131orDriver InformationCenter (DIC) (Uplevel)0134.Intheevent of a controller problem, thebrake pedal may be harder to pushand the stopping distance may belonger.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction ControlSystem (TCS) and StabiliTrak®,anelectronic stability control system.These systems help limit wheel slipand assist the driver in maintainingcontrol, especially on slippery roadconditions.
TCS activates if it senses that anyof the drive wheels are spinning orbeginning to lose traction. When thishappens, TCS applies the brakes tothe spinning wheels and reducesengine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when thevehicle senses a difference betweenthe intended path and the directionthe vehicle is actually traveling.StabiliTrak selectively appliesbraking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist thedriver in keeping the vehicle on theintended path.
If cruise control is being used andtraction control or StabiliTrak beginsto limit wheel spin, cruise control willdisengage. Cruise control may beturned back on when roadconditions allow.
Both systems come onautomatically when the vehicle isstarted and begins to move. Thesystems may be heard or felt whilethey are operating or whileperforming diagnostic checks. Thisis normal and does not mean thereis a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave bothsystems on for normal drivingconditions, but it may be necessaryto turn TCS off if the vehicle getsstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck0221and“Turning the Systems Off andOn”later in this section.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
242 Driving and Operating
The indicator light for both systemsis in the instrument cluster. Thislight will:
.Flash when TCS is limitingwheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak isactivated.
.Turn on and stay on when eithersystem is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or toactivate, a message displays in theDriver Information Center (DIC),
anddcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactiveand is not assisting the driver inmaintaining control. The vehicle issafe to drive, but driving should beadjusted accordingly.
Ifdcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. Ifdcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may needmore time to diagnose the problem.If the condition persists, see yourdealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrakis on the center console.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To t u r n o f f o n l y T C S , p r e s s a n d
releaseg.Thetractionofflighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
To t u r n T C S o n a g a i n , p r e s s a n d
releaseg.Thetractionofflighti
displayed in the instrument clusterwill turn off.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 243
To t u r n o f f b o t h T C S a n d S t a b i l i T r a k ,
press and holdguntil the traction
off lightiand StabiliTrak OFF
lightgcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster.
To t u r n T C S a n d S t a b i l i T r a k o n
again, press and releaseg.The
traction off lightiand StabiliTrak
OFF lightgin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect thevehicle performance. SeeAccessories andModifications0280.
Cruise Control
Cruise control lets the vehiclemaintain a speed of about 40 km/h(25 mph) or more without keepingyour foot on the accelerator. Cruisecontrol does not work at speedsbelow 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
asteadyspeed.Donotuse
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With the Traction Control System(TCS) or Electronic Stability Control(ESC), the system may begin tolimit wheel spin while you are usingcruise control. If this happens,cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l /Electronic Stability Control0241.If a collision alert occurs whencruise control is activated, cruisecontrol is disengaged. SeeForwardCollision Alert (FCA) System0258.When road conditions allow you tosafely use it again, cruise controlcan be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruisecontrol disengages.
5:Press to turn the cruise controlsystem on and off. A white indicatorcomes on in the instrument clusterwhen cruise is turned on.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 245
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC) (Base Level)0131orDriverInformation Center (DIC) (Uplevel)0134.Theincrementvalueuseddepends on the units displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle WhileUsing Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal toincrease the vehicle speed. Whenyou take your foot off the pedal, thevehicle will slow down to theprevious set cruise speed. Whilepressing the accelerator pedal orshortly following the release tooverride cruise control, brieflypressing -SET will result in cruisecontrol set to the current vehiclespeed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control workson hills depends upon the vehiclespeed, load, and the steepness ofthe hills. When going up steep hills,you might have to step on theaccelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When goingdownhill, you might have to brake orshift to a lower gear to keep yourspeed down. If the brake pedal isapplied, cruise control willdisengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruisecontrol:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Shift the transmission toN(Neutral).
.Press5to turn cruise control
system off completely.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if5is pressed
or if the vehicle is turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC), it allows you toselect the cruise control set speedand following gap. Read this entiresection before using this system.The following gap is the followingtime between your vehicle and avehicle detected directly ahead inyour path moving in the samedirection. If no vehicle is detected inyour path, ACC works like regularcruise control. ACC uses cameraand radar sensors. SeeRadioFrequency Statement0393.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,ACC can apply acceleration orlimited, moderate braking tomaintain the selected following gap.To d i s e n g a g e A C C , a p p l y t h e b r a k e .If ACC is controlling your vehiclespeed when the Traction ControlSystem (TCS) or StabiliTrak systemactivates, the ACC mayautomatically disengage. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i c S t a b i l i t yControl0241.Whenroad

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
250 Driving and Operating
See“Go Notifier”in“Collision/Detection Systems”underVehiclePersonalization0147.
When the vehicle ahead drivesaway, press +RES or theaccelerator pedal to resume ACC.If stopped for more thantwo minutes or if the driver door isopened and the driver safety belt isunbuckled, the ACC automaticallyapplies the Electric Parking Brake(EPB) to hold the vehicle. TheElectric Parking Brake status lightwill turn on. SeeElectric ParkingBrake0238.ToreleasetheEPB,press the accelerator pedal.
ADICwarningmessagemaydisplay indicating to shift to P (Park)before exiting the vehicle. SeeCruise Control Messages0139.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle,
and if ACC is disengaged, turned
off, or canceled, the vehicle will
no longer be held at a stop. The
vehicle can move. When ACC is
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
holding the vehicle at a stop,
always be prepared to manually
apply the brakes.
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without
placing it in P (Park) can be
dangerous. Do not leave the
vehicle while it is being held at a
stop by ACC. Always place the
vehicle in P (Park) and turn off
the ignition before leaving the
vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal whileACC is active, a warning messageon the DIC will indicate thatautomatic braking will not occur.SeeCruise Control Messages0139.ACCwillresumeoperationwhen the accelerator pedal is notbeing pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes if your foot is
resting on the accelerator pedal.
Yo u c o u l d c r a s h i n t o a v e h i c l e
ahead of you.
Curves in the Road
{Warning
On curves, ACC may not detect a
vehicle ahead in your lane. You
could be startled if the vehicle
accelerates up to the set speed,
especially when following a
vehicle exiting or entering exit
ramps. You could lose control of
the vehicle or crash. Do not use
ACC while driving on an entrance
or exit ramp. Always be ready to
use the brakes if necessary.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
252 Driving and Operating
Do Not Use ACC on Hills andWhen Towing a Trailer
Do not use ACC when driving onsteep hills or when towing a trailer.ACC will not detect a vehicle in thelane while driving on steep hills. Thedriver will often need to take overacceleration and braking on steephills, especially when towing atrailer. If the brakes are applied, theACC disengages.
Ending ACC
There are three ways todisengage ACC:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Press5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if5is pressed
or if the ignition is turned off.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on thewindshield ahead of the rearviewmirror and the radar sensors on thefront of the vehicle can becomeblocked by snow, ice, dirt, or mud.These areas need to be cleaned forACC to operate properly.
For cleaning instructions, see“Washing the Vehicle”underExterior Care0358.
System operation may also belimited under snow, heavy rain,or road spray conditions.
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features thatwork together to help avoid crashesor reduce crash damage whiledriving, backing, and parking. Readthis entire section before usingthese systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or see
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. SeeDefensive
Driving0216.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
258 Driving and Operating
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system mayhelp to avoid or reduce the harmcaused by front-end crashes. Whenapproaching a vehicle ahead tooquickly, FCA provides a flashing redalert on the windshield and rapidlybeeps. FCA also lights an ambervisual alert if following anothervehicle much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within adistance of approximately 60 m(197 ft) and operates at speedsabove 8 km/h (5 mph). If the vehiclehas Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),it can detect vehicles to distances ofapproximately 110 m (360 ft) andoperates at all speeds. SeeAdaptive Cruise Control0245.
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. It also may not
provide any warning at all. FCA
does not warn of pedestrians,
animals, signs, guardrails,
bridges, construction barrels,
or other objects. Be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving0216.
FCA can be disabled with the FCAsteering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unlessthe FCA system detects a vehicleahead. When a vehicle is detected,the vehicle ahead indicator willdisplay green. Vehicles may not bedetected on curves, highway exitramps, or hills, due to poor visibility;or if a vehicle ahead is partiallyblocked by pedestrians or otherobjects. FCA will not detect anothervehicle ahead until it is completelyin the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 263
more rapidly which can cause abrief, mild deceleration. Continue toapply the brake pedal as needed.Cruise control may be disengagedwhen the Front Pedestrian Alertoccurs.
Automatic Braking
If FPB detects it is about to crashinto a pedestrian directly ahead ofthe vehicle, and the brakes have notbeen applied, it may automaticallybrake moderately or brake hard.This can help to avoid some verylow-speed pedestrian crashes orreduce pedestrian injury. FPB canautomatically brake to detectedpedestrians between 8 km/h (5 mph)and 80 km/h (50 mph). Automaticbraking levels may be reducedunder certain conditions, such ashigher speeds.
If this happens, Automatic Brakingmay engage the Electric ParkingBrake (EPB) to hold the vehicle at astop. Release the EPB. A firm pressof the accelerator pedal will alsorelease Automatic Braking andthe EPB.
{Warning
FPB may alert or automatically
brake the vehicle suddenly in
situations where it is unexpected
and undesired. It could falsely
alert or brake for objects similar in
shape or size to pedestrians,
including shadows. This is normal
operation and the vehicle does
not need service. To override
Automatic Braking, firmly press
the accelerator pedal, if it is safe
to do so.
Automatic Braking can be disabledthrough vehicle personalization. See“Front Pedestrian Detection”in“Collision/Detection Systems”underVehicle Personalization0147.
{Warning
Using the Front Pedestrian
Braking system while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system to Alert or Off
when towing a trailer.
Cleaning the System
If FPB does not seem to operateproperly, cleaning the outside of thewindshield in front of the rearviewmirror may correct the issue.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is alane-changing aid that assistsdrivers with avoiding crashes thatoccur with moving vehicles in theside blind zone (or spot) areas.When the vehicle is in a forwardgear, the left or right side mirrordisplay will light up if a movingvehicle is detected in that blindzone. If the turn signal is activatedand a vehicle is also detected onthe same side, the display will flashas an extra warning not to changelanes. Since this system is part of