2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
360 Vehicle Care
The bright metal moldings on thevehicle are aluminum, chrome,or stainless steel. To preventdamage always follow thesecleaning instructions:
.Be sure the molding is cool tothe touch before applying anycleaning solution.
.Use only approved cleaningsolutions for aluminum, chrome,or stainless steel. Somecleaners are highly acidic orcontain alkaline substances andcan damage the moldings.
.Always dilute a concentratedcleaner according to themanufacturer’sinstructions.
.Do not use cleaners that are notintended for automotive use.
.Use a nonabrasive wax on thevehicle after washing to protectand extend the molding finish.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses, Emblems, Decals, and
Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, asoft cloth, and a car washing soapto clean exterior lamps, lenses,emblems, decals, and stripes.Follow instructions under "Washingthe Vehicle" previously in thissection.
Lamp covers are made of plastic,and some have a UV protectivecoating. Do not clean or wipe themwhile they are dry.
Do not use any of the following onlamp covers:
.Abrasive or caustic agents.
.Washer fluids and other cleaningagents in higher concentrationsthan suggested by themanufacturer.
.Solvents, alcohols, fuels,or other harsh cleaners.
.Ice scrapers or other hard items.
.Aftermarket appearance caps orcovers while the lamps areilluminated, due to excessiveheat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly
can cause damage to the lamp
cover that would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black
finish stripes can increase the
gloss level and create a
non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and
water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes,between the hood and windshieldwhen washing the vehicle.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 361
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a shuttersystem designed to help increasefuel economy. Keep the shuttersystem clean for proper operation.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshieldwith glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-freecloth or paper towel soaked withwindshield washer fluid or a milddetergent. Wash the windshieldthoroughly when cleaning theblades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
abuildupofvehiclewash/waxtreatments may cause wiperstreaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they areworn or damaged. Damage can becaused by extreme dustyconditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply Dielectric silicone grease onweatherstrips to make them lastlonger, seal better, and not stick orsqueak. Lubricate weatherstrips atleast once a year. Hot, dry climatesmay require more frequentapplication. Black marks fromrubber material on painted surfacescan be removed by rubbing with aclean cloth. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0377.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner toclean the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire
dressing products on the vehicle
may damage the paint finish and/
or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mildsoap and water to clean the wheels.After rinsing thoroughly with cleanwater, dry with a soft, clean towel.Awaxmaythenbeapplied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
362 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To a v o i d s u r f a c e d a m a g e , d o n o t
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines andhoses for proper hook-up, binding,leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspectdisc brake pads for wear and rotorsfor surface condition. Inspect drumbrake linings/shoes for wear orcracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,suspension, and chassiscomponents for damaged, loose,or missing parts or signs of wear atleast once a year.
Inspect power steering for properattachment, connections, binding,leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity jointboots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,hood hinges, decklid hinges, steelfuel door hinge, unless thecomponents are plastic. Applyingsilicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make themlast longer, seal better, and not stickor squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,use plain water to flush anycorrosive materials from theunderbody. Take care to thoroughlyclean any areas where mud andother debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash thetransfer case and/or front/rear axleoutput seals. High pressure watercan overcome the seals andcontaminate the fluid. Contaminatedfluid will decrease the life of thetransfer case and/or axles andshould be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged andrequires sheet metal repair orreplacement, make sure the bodyrepair shop applies anti-corrosionmaterial to parts repaired orreplaced to restore corrosionprotection.

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
364 Vehicle Care
Caution
To p r e v e n t s c r a t c h i n g , n e v e r u s e
abrasive cleaners on automotive
glass. Abrasive cleaners or
aggressive cleaning may damage
the rear window defogger.
Cleaning the windshield with waterduring the first three to six monthsof ownership will reduce tendencyto fog.
Speaker Covers
Va c u u m a r o u n d a s p e a k e r c o v e rgently, so that the speaker will notbe damaged. Clean spots with waterand mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
.When lightly soiled, wipe with asponge or soft, lint-free clothdampened with water.
.When heavily soiled, use warmsoapy water.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede
Start by vacuuming the surfaceusing a soft brush attachment. If arotating vacuum brush attachment isbeing used, only use it on the floorcarpet. Before cleaning, gentlyremove as much of the soil aspossible:
.Gently blot liquids with a papertowel. Continue blotting until nomore soil can be removed.
.For solid soils, remove as muchas possible prior to vacuuming.
To c l e a n :
1. Saturate a clean, lint-freecolorfast cloth with water.Microfiber cloth isrecommended to prevent linttransfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture bygently wringing until water doesnot drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of thesoil and gently rub toward thecenter. Fold the cleaning cloth
to a clean area frequently toprevent forcing the soil in to thefabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing thesoiled area until there is nolonger any color transfer fromthe soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completelyremoved, use a mild soapsolution followed only by plainwater.
If the soil is not completelyremoved, it may be necessary touse a commercial upholsterycleaner or spot lifter. Test a smallhidden area for colorfastness beforeusing a commercial upholsterycleaner or spot lifter. If ringformation occurs, clean the entirefabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper towel toblot excess moisture.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 365
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces
and Vehicle Information and
Radio Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high glosssurfaces or vehicle displays. First,use a soft bristle brush to removedirt that can scratch the surface.Then gently clean by rubbing with amicrofiber cloth. Never use windowcleaners or solvents. Periodicallyhand wash the microfiber clothseparately, using mild soap. Do notuse bleach or fabric softener. Rinsethoroughly and air dry beforenext use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with a
suction cup to the display. This
may cause damage and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Instrument Panel, Leather,
Vinyl, Other Plastic Surfaces,
Low Gloss Paint Surfaces, and
Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber clothdampened with water to removedust and loose dirt. For a morethorough cleaning, use a softmicrofiber cloth dampened with amild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as
well as other interior surfaces,
may cause permanent damage.
Wipe excess moisture from these
surfaces after cleaning and allow
them to dry naturally. Never use
heat, steam, or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the appearance and feel of
leather or soft trim, and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increasegloss, especially on the instrumentpanel. Reflected glare can decreasevisibility through the windshieldunder certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics
and painted surfaces. If an air
freshener comes in contact with
any plastic or painted surface in
the vehicle, blot immediately and
clean with a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
366 Vehicle Care
Cargo Cover and
Convenience Net
Wash with warm water and milddetergent. Do not use chlorinebleach. Rinse with cold water, andthen dry completely.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye safety belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean and
rinse safety belt webbing only
with mild soap and lukewarm
water. Allow the webbing to dry.
Floor Mats
{Warning
If a floor mat is the wrong size or
is not properly installed, it can
interfere with the pedals.
Interference with the pedals can
cause unintended acceleration
and/or increased stopping
distance which can cause a crash
and injury. Make sure the floor
mat does not interfere with the
pedals.
Use the following guidelines forproper floor mat usage:
.The original equipment floormats were designed for yourvehicle. If the floor mats needreplacing, it is recommendedthat GM certified floor mats bepurchased. Non-GM floor matsmay not fit properly and mayinterfere with the pedals. Alwayscheck that the floor mats do notinterfere with the pedals.
.Do not use a floor mat if thevehicle is not equipped with afloor mat retainer on the driverside floor.
.Use the floor mat with thecorrect side up. Do not turnit over.
.Do not place anything on top ofthe driver side floor mat.
.Use only a single floor mat onthe driver side.
.Do not place one floor mat ontop of another.
Removing and Replacing the
Floor Mats
If equipped, pull up on the rear ofthe floor mat to unlock each retainerand remove.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 367
Reinstall by lining up the floor matretainer openings over the carpetretainers and snapping into position.
Make sure the floor mat is properlysecured in place.
Verify the floor mat does notinterfere with the pedals.