
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 279
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 336Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 338Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339Storing the Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 351
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Towing the Vehicle
To w i n g t h e V e h i c l e . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 5Recreational VehicleTo w i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 6
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
General Information
For service and parts needs, visityour dealer. You will receivegenuine GM parts and GM-trainedand supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one ofthese marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING:Most motor vehicles,including this one, as well as manyof its service parts and fluids,contain and/or emit chemicalsknown to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects orother reproductive harm. Engineexhaust, many parts and systems,many fluids, and some componentwear by-products contain and/oremit these chemicals.
SeeBattery - North America0301andJump Starting - NorthAmerica0352.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotiveapplications, such as airbaginitiators, safety belt pretensioners,and lithium batteries contained inRemote Keyless Entry transmitters,may contain perchlorate materials.Special handling may be necessary.For additional information, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
284 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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
286 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0288.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0288.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes0299.
6. Automatic Transmission FluidFill Cap. SeeAutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n F l u i d0292.
7. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. SeeEngineCoolant0295.
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. Power Electronics CoolantReservoir. SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
10.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0311.
11 . W i n d s h i e l d Wa s h e r F l u i dReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0299.
12. Remote Negative (-) BatteryTe r m i n a l . S e eJump Starting -North America0352.

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
Vehicle Care 301
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a lowlevel, the brake warning light comeson. SeeBrake System WarningLight0124.
Brake fluid absorbs water over timewhich degrades the effectiveness ofthe brake fluid. Replace brake fluidat the specified intervals to preventincreased stopping distance. SeeMaintenance Schedule0369.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3brake fluid from a clean, sealedcontainer. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0377.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery ismaintenance free. Do not removethe cap and do not add fluid.
The non-hybrid vehicle has astandard 12-volt battery under thehood. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0283.
Refer to the replacement numbershown on the original battery labelwhen a new 12-volt battery isneeded.
Hybrid Vehicle
The hybrid vehicle 12-volt battery isin the trunk on the driver side.Hybrid vehicles also have a highvoltage battery. Only a trainedservice technician with the properknowledge and tools should inspect,test, or replace the high voltagebattery. See your dealer if the highvoltage battery needs service. Thedealer has information on how torecycle the high voltage battery.
The hybrid high voltage battery iscooled with air drawn from thevehicle interior. The cold air intakefor the battery is under the rearseat. Do not block the area in frontof the cold air intake.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
302 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Damage to the high voltage
battery or high voltage system
can create a risk of electric shock,
overheating, or fire.
If the vehicle is damaged from a
moderate to severe crash, flood,
fire, or other event, the vehicle
should be inspected as soon as
possible. Until the vehicle has
been inspected, store it outside at
least 15 m (50 ft) from any
structure or anything that can
burn. Ventilate the vehicle by
opening a window or a door.
Contact Customer Assistance as
soon as possible to determine
whether an inspection is needed.
SeeCustomer Assistance
Offices0385.
Stop/Start System
If equipped with the 1.5L L4 engine,the vehicle has a stop/start systemto shut off the engine to helpconserve fuel. SeeStarting theEngine0227.
Vehicles with a 1.5L engine have anAbsorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12-voltbattery. Installation of a standard12-volt battery will result in reduced12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt batterycharger on the 12-volt AGM battery,some chargers have an AGMbattery setting on the charger.If available, use the AGM setting onthe charger, to limit charge voltageto 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WA R N I N G :Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING.
SeeCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning0279.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
Yo u c a n b e b a d l y h u r t i f y o u a r e
not careful. SeeJump Starting -
North America0352for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the12-volt battery black, negative (✓)cable from the battery to keep thebattery from running down.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 303
Extended Storage: Remove the12-volt battery black, negative (✓)cable from the battery or use abattery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the batterywhen ready to drive the vehicle.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, besure there is enough roomaround the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brakeand the regular brake.
Do not use the acceleratorpedal, and be ready to turn offthe engine immediately if itstarts.
3. Try to start the engine in eachgear. The vehicle should startonly in P (Park) or N (Neutral).If the vehicle starts in any otherposition, contact your dealer forservice.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, besure there is enough roomaround the vehicle. It should beparked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Beready to apply the regularbrake immediately if the vehiclebegins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn theignition on, but do not start theengine. Without applying theregular brake, try to move theshift lever out of P (Park) withnormal effort. If the shift levermoves out of P (Park), contactyour dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
Yo u o r o t h e r s c o u l d b e i n j u r e d
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 313
The vehicle may not be equippedwith all of the fuses, relays, andfeatures shown.
Fuses Usage
1–
2–
3ABSpump
5ACDCinverter
6Rearclosure
7ATWS/Horn
8Window/Mirror/Seats
9Eboost
10 Left seat lumbar/Airbag HEV
11 D C D C b a t t e r y 1
12 Rear defogger
13 Heated mirror
14–
15 Passive entry/Passivestart
16 Front wiper
17 Passenger power seat
18 ABS valve
Fuses Usage
19 Driver power seat
21 Sunroof
22 Parking lamp
23 Active headlampleveling
24–
26 Transmission controlmodule/Ignition
27 Instrument panelbody/Ignition
28 Fuel pump
29 Regulated voltagecontrol/Ventilation
30 Malfunction indicatorlamp/SS
32 CVS
33 Front heated seat
34 Rear heated seat/BSM/ESS fan
35 Body controlmodule 6/Body controlmodule 7
36 Fuel module
Fuses Usage
38–
39–
40 Steering column lock
41–
43 Heated steering wheel
44 Active headlampleveling
45–
46 Engine controlmodule/Ignition
47–
48 Eboost (HEV)
49 DC DC battery 2
50–
51–
52–
53–
54–
55–
56–