2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU airbag

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
Acirclewithaslashthroughitisasafety symbol which means“DoNot,”“Do not do this,”or“Do not letthis happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components andlabels that use symbols instead oftext. Symbols are shown along withthe text describing the operation orinformation relating to a specificcomponent, control, message,gauge, or indicator.
M:Shown when the ownermanual has additional instructionsor information.
*:Shown when the servicemanual has additional instructionsor information.
0:Shown when there is moreinformation on another page—“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbolsthat may be found on the vehicleand what they mean. For moreinformation on the symbol, refer tothe Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controlsor OnStar®(if equipped)
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
g:First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-BeamChanger
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
In Brief 13
To h e a t t h e d r i v e r o r p a s s e n g e r s e a t
cushion and seatback, pressLor
M.Indicatorlightsonthebuttonshow the current setting.
To v e n t i l a t e t h e d r i v e r o r p a s s e n g e r
seat, press{orC.Indicatorlights
on the button show the currentsetting.
Press the heated or ventilatedbutton once for the highest setting.With each press of the button, theheated or ventilated seat willchange to the next lower setting,and then to the off setting. Thelights indicate three for the highestsetting and one for the lowest.
SeeHeated and Ventilated FrontSeats060.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraintsfor all occupants are installed andadjusted properly.
To a c h i e v e a c o m f o r t a b l e s e a t i n gposition, change the seatbackrecline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the headrestraint height in the properposition.
SeeHead Restraints055andSeatAdjustment056.
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections forimportant information on how to usesafety belts properly:
.Safety Belts064.
.How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly065.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt066.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System)090.
Passenger Sensing
System
United States and Canada
Mexico
The passenger sensing systemturns off the front outboardpassenger frontal airbag and kneeairbag under certain conditions. Noother airbag is affected by thepassenger sensing system. SeePassenger Sensing System077.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
14 In Brief
The passenger airbag statusindicator will light on the overheadconsole when the vehicle is started.SeePassenger Airbag StatusIndicator0121.
Mirror Adjustment
Interior Mirror
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clearview of the area behind yourvehicle.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped, push the tab forward fordaytime use and pull it rearward fornighttime use to avoid glare of theheadlamps from behind.
Automatic Dimming RearviewMirror
If equipped, the mirror willautomatically reduce the glare of theheadlamps from behind. Thedimming feature comes on when thevehicle is started.
SeeAutomatic Dimming RearviewMirror049.
Exterior Mirrors
To a d j u s t a m i r r o r :
1. Press}or|to choose the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Press the arrows on the controlpad to move each mirror in thedesired direction.
SeePower Mirrors048.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To a d j u s t t h e s t e e r i n g w h e e l :
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel upor down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheelcloser or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock thesteering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheelwhile driving.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
In Brief 27
SeeBattery - North America0301for important safety information.If an airbag has inflated, seeWhatWill You See after an AirbagInflates?075.
Only a trained service technicianwith the proper knowledge and toolsshould inspect, test, or replace thehigh voltage battery. See yourdealer if the high voltage batteryneeds service.
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only)
Regenerative braking takes some ofthe energy from the moving vehicleand turns it back into electricalenergy. This energy is then stored inthe high voltage battery system,contributing to increased energyefficiency. SeeRegenerativeBraking (Hybrid Only)0240.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-voltbattery and a high voltage hybridbattery. When a new standard12-volt battery is needed, see yourdealer for one that has thereplacement number shown on theoriginal battery's label. Only atrained service technician with theproper knowledge and tools shouldinspect, test, or replace the hybridbattery. See your dealer if the highvoltage hybrid battery needsservice. SeeBattery - NorthAmerica0301.
Service
Never try to do your own service onhybrid components. You can beinjured and the vehicle can bedamaged if you try to do your ownservice work. Service and repair ofthese hybrid components shouldonly be performed by a trainedservice technician with the properknowledge and tools. SeeDoingYour Own Service Work0280.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The traction control system limitswheel spin. The system turns onautomatically every time the vehicleis started and begins to move.
The StabiliTrak system assists withdirectional control of the vehicle indifficult driving conditions. Thesystem turns on automatically everytime the vehicle is started andbegins to move.
.To t u r n o f f t r a c t i o n c o n t r o l , p r e s s
and releasegon the center
console.iilluminates in the
instrument cluster.
.Press and releasegagain to
turn on traction control.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
54 Seats and Restraints
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . 57Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 57Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Safety Belt Use DuringPregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 69Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 69Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Replacing Safety Belt SystemParts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 72When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74What Makes an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75What Will You See after anAirbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75Passenger Sensing System . . . 77Servicing the Airbag-EquippedVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81Adding Equipment to theAirbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 81Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 82Replacing Airbag System Partsafter a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Infants and Young Children . . . . 85Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 87Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . 89Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . 90
Replacing LATCH System PartsAfter a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95Securing Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in theRear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96Securing Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in theFront Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Seats and Restraints 65
Warning (Continued)
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts.
Always wear a safety belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as areminder to buckle the safety belts.SeeSafety Belt Reminders0120.
Why Safety Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travelas fast as the vehicle does. If thevehicle stops suddenly, you keepgoing until something stops you.It could be the windshield, theinstrument panel, or the safety belts!
When you wear a safety belt, youand the vehicle slow down together.There is more time to stop becauseyou stop over a longer distance and,when worn properly, your strongestbones take the forces from thesafety belts. That is why wearingsafety belts makes such goodsense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicleafter a crash if I am wearing asafety belt?
A:Yo ucouldbe—whether you arewearing a safety belt or not.Yo u r c h a n c e o f b e i n g c o n s c i o u sduring and after a crash, so youcanunbuckle and get out, ismuchgreater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, whyshould I have to wear safetybelts?
A:Airbags are supplementalsystems only; so they workwithsafety belts—not instead ofthem. Whether or not an airbagis provided, all occupants stillhave to buckle up to get themost protection.
Also, in nearly all states and inall Canadian provinces, the lawrequires wearing safety belts.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people ofadult size.
There are special things to knowabout safety belts and children, andthere are different rules for smallerchildren and infants. If a child will beriding in the vehicle, seeOlderChildren083orInfants and YoungChildren085.Followthoserulesforeveryone's protection.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
70 Seats and Restraints
{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.
Safety belts should be properlycared for and maintained.
Safety belt hardware should be keptdry and free of dust or debris. Asnecessary exterior hard surfacesand safety belt webbing may belightly cleaned with mild soap andwater. Ensure there is not excessivedust or debris in the mechanism.If dust or debris exists in the systemplease see the dealer. Parts mayneed to be replaced to ensureproper functionality of the system.
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a
Crash
{Warning
Acrashcandamagethesafety
belt system in the vehicle.
Adamagedsafetybeltsystem
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
After a minor crash, replacement ofsafety belts may not be necessary.But the safety belt assemblies thatwere used during any crash mayhave been stressed or damaged.See your dealer to have the safetybelt assemblies inspected orreplaced.
New parts and repairs may benecessary even if the safety beltsystem was not being used at thetime of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensionerschecked if the vehicle has been in acrash, or if the airbag readiness lightstays on after you start the vehicleor while you are driving. SeeAirbagReadiness Light0120.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Seats and Restraints 71
Airbag System
The vehicle has the followingairbags:
.Afrontalairbagforthedriver.
.Afrontalairbagforthefrontoutboard passenger.
.Akneeairbagforthedriver.
.Akneeairbagforthefrontoutboard passenger.
.Aseat-mountedsideimpactairbag for the driver.
.Aseat-mountedsideimpactairbag for the front outboardpassenger.
.Seat-mounted side impactairbags for the second rowoutboard passengers.
.Aroof-railairbagforthedriverand the passenger seateddirectly behind the driver.
.Aroof-railairbagforthefrontoutboard passenger and thepassenger seated directlybehind the front outboardpassenger.
All vehicle airbags have the wordAIRBAG on the trim or on a labelnear the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the wordAIRBAG is on the center of thesteering wheel for the driver and onthe instrument panel for the frontoutboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAGis on the lower part of theinstrument panel.
For seat-mounted side impactairbags, the word AIRBAG is on theside of the seatback closest tothe door.
For roof-rail airbags, the wordAIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplementthe protection provided by safetybelts. Even though today's airbagsare also designed to help reducethe risk of injury from the force of aninflating bag, all airbags must inflatevery quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important thingsto know about the airbag system:
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e s e v e r e l y i n j u r e d o r
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inflate?074.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are“supplemental restraints”to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.