
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Driving and Operating 277
carbon monoxide (CO) from theexhaust can get into the vehicle.SeeEngine Exhaust0232.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between thevehicle and the trailer. Cross thesafety chains under the tongue ofthe trailer to help prevent the tonguefrom contacting the road if itbecomes separated from the hitch.Leave enough slack so the rig canturn. Never allow safety chains todrag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its ownbrakes? Be sure to read and followthe instructions for the trailer brakesso they are installed, adjusted, andmaintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilockbrakes, do not tap into the vehicle'sbrake system. If this is done, bothbrake systems will not work well orat all.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0122.Adeviceconnectedtothe
DLC—such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device—may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’ssystems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain thevehicle's 12-volt battery, even if thevehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.Before attempting to add anythingelectrical to the vehicle, seeServicing the Airbag-EquippedVehicle081andAdding Equipmentto the Airbag-EquippedVehicle081.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 299
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid isneeded, be sure to read themanufacturer's instructions beforeuse. If operating the vehicle in anarea where the temperature may fallbelow freezing, use a fluid that hassufficient protection againstfreezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washersymbol on it. Add washer fluid untilthe tank is full. SeeEngineCompartment Overview0283forreservoir location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid thatcontains any type of waterrepellent coating. This cancause the wiper blades tochatter or skip.
.Do not use engine coolant(antifreeze) in thewindshield washer. It candamage the windshieldwasher system and paint.
.Do not mix water withready-to-use washer fluid.Water can cause thesolution to freeze anddamage the washer fluidtank and other parts of thewasher system.
.When using concentratedwasher fluid, follow themanufacturer instructions foradding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tankonly three-quarters full whenit is very cold. This allowsfor fluid expansion if
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
freezing occurs, which coulddamage the tank if it iscompletely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wearindicators that make a high-pitchedwarning sound when the brake padsare worn and new pads are needed.The sound can come and go or canbe heard all the time when thevehicle is moving, except whenapplying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
acrash.Whenthebrakewear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
376 Service and Maintenance
of leaking, blown seals,or damage, and can advisewhen service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,rotated, and balanced. Maintainingthe tires can save money and fuel,and can reduce the risk of tirefailure.
.Signs that the tires need to bereplaced include three or morevisible treadwear indicators; cordor fabric showing through therubber; cracks or cuts in thetread or sidewall; or a bulge orsplit in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians caninspect and recommend the righttires. Your dealer can alsoprovide tire/wheel balancingservices to ensure smoothvehicle operation at all speeds.Yo u r d e a l e r s e l l s a n d s e r v i c e sname brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To h e l p k e e p t h e v e h i c l e l o o k i n g l i k enew, vehicle care products areavailable from your dealer. For
information on how to clean andprotect the vehicle’sinteriorandexterior, seeInterior Care0363andExterior Care0358.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical forensuring that the tires deliveroptimal wear and performance.
.Signs that the alignment mayneed to be adjusted includepulling, improper vehiclehandling, or unusual tire wear.
.Yo u r d e a l e r h a s t h e r e q u i r e dequipment to ensure properwheel alignment.
Windshield
For safety, appearance, and thebest viewing, keep the windshieldclean and clear.
.Signs of damage includescratches, cracks, and chips.
.Trained dealer technicians caninspect the windshield andrecommend proper replacementif needed.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades need to be cleanedand kept in good condition toprovide a clear view.
.Signs of wear include streaking,skipping across the windshield,and worn or split rubber.
.Trained dealer technicians cancheck the wiper blades andreplace them when needed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 409
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 102
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 122
Check
Malfunction Indicator
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 85
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96, 98
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 205
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 112, 114
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 390
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 339
Connections
OnStar®...................... 399
Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Temperature Gauge . . .119
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 208
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 293, 294
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 245
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y )
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 392
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 390
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 396
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 395
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Diagnostics
OnStar®...................... 401
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 411
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 260
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 60
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Low Fuel Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 129
Requirements, California . . . . . 269
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Gauges
Engine Coolant
Te m p e r a t u r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 9
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Power Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Ta c h o m e t e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 7
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 368
To w i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 2
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 166
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Headlamps (cont'd)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 129
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 165
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 130
Heated
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 208
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 326
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 219
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

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

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
414 Index
N
Navigation
OnStar®...................... 399
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 225
O
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Off-Road
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 291
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 83
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 386
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
OnStar®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
OnStar®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 399
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Operation
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 176
Ordering
Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 392
Outlets
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 303
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 232
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Parking or Backing
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 253
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 77
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 126
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . . 279
Personalization
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Phone
Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 191, 195
Hands-Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Port
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Power
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Indicator Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 230
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 69
Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 394
Program
Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 389