
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 7
1.Air Vents0211.
2. Turn Signal Lever. SeeTu r nand Lane-ChangeSignals0167.
3.Instrument Cluster (BaseLevel)011 2orInstrumentCluster (Uplevel)011 4.
Driver Information Center (DIC)(Base Level)0131orDriverInformation Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0134.
4.Windshield Wiper/Washer0105.
5. Light Sensor. SeeAutomaticHeadlamp System0166.
6.Infotainment0171.
7.Climate ControlSystems0205.
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem0208(If Equipped).
8.Hazard WarningFlashers0166.
9.Power Outlets0108.
10.Tr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i cStability Control0241.
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing0253(If Equipped).
11 . S h i f t L e v e r. S e eAutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n0233.
12.Electric Parking Brake0238.
13.USB Port0184.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button.SeeIgnition Positions0225.
15.Steering Wheel Controls0104.
Driver Information CenterButtons. SeeDriver InformationCenter (DIC) (Base Level)0131orDriver InformationCenter (DIC) (Uplevel)0134.
16.Horn0105.
17.Steering WheelAdjustment0104.
18.Cruise Control0243.
Adaptive Cruise Control0245(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel0105(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System0258(If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)0266(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. SeeHood0281.
20. Data Link Connector (Out ofView). SeeMalfunctionIndicator Lamp (Check EngineLight)0122.
21.Exterior Lamp Controls0163.
22.Instrument Panel IlluminationControl0167.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
76 Seats and Restraints
prevent the driver from seeing out ofthe windshield or being able to steerthe vehicle, nor does it preventpeople from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To a v o i d t h i s , e v e r y o n e i n t h e
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that mayautomatically unlock the doors, turnon the interior lamps and hazardwarning flashers, and shut off thefuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,without airbag inflation, after anevent that exceeds a predeterminedthreshold. You can lock the doors,and turn off the interior lamps, andturn off the hazard warning flashersby using the controls for thosefeatures.
{Warning
Acrashsevereenoughtoinflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
Hybrid vehicles have a high voltagebattery and a standard 12-voltbattery. If an airbag inflates or the
vehicle has been in a crash, thevehicle's sensing system may shutdown the high voltage system.When this occurs, the high voltagebattery is disconnected and thevehicle is not charging the 12-voltbattery or the electrical system. Thevehicle may start but it shuts downonce the 12-volt battery is depleted.The airbag readiness light and/orthe 12-volt battery warning light aredisplayed. Before the vehicle can beoperated again, it must be servicedat your dealer.
In many crashes severe enough toinflate the airbag, windshields arebroken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage mayalso occur from the front outboardpassenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflateonly once. After an airbaginflates, you will need some newparts for the airbag system.If you do not get them, theairbag system will not be thereto help protect you in anothercrash. A new system will includeairbag modules and possibly

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 103
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 104Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 104Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 105Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 105Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Instrument Cluster (BaseLevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112Instrument Cluster(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117Ta c h o m e t e r ( N o n - H y b r i d ) . . . . . 11 7Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118Power Indicator Gauge(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Coolant TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 120Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 120Passenger Airbag StatusIndicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121Charging System Light . . . . . . . 122Malfunction Indicator Lamp(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 122Brake System WarningLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Electric Parking BrakeLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Service Electric Parking BrakeLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125Antilock Brake System (ABS)Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125Lane Keep Assist (LKA)Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 126Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 126Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 127Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 127Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 127Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 128Low Fuel Warning Light(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128Low Fuel Warning Light (BaseLevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129Vehicle Ready Light(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 129Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 130Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 130Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 130
Information Displays
Power Flows (Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . 131Energy Information(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131Driver Information Center (DIC)(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131Driver Information Center (DIC)(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 138Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138Brake System Messages . . . . . 138Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 139Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 139Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 140Engine Cooling SystemMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 141Engine Power Messages . . . . . 141Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 141Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 141

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
124 Instruments and Controls
The vehicle may not passinspection if:
.The light is on when the engineis running.
.The light does not come onwhen the ignition is in ServiceOnly Mode.
.Critical emission control systemshave not been completelydiagnosed. If this happens, thevehicle would not be ready forinspection and might requireseveral days of routine drivingbefore the system is ready forinspection. This can happen ifthe 12-volt battery has recentlybeen replaced or run down, or ifthe vehicle has been recentlyserviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle willnot pass or cannot be made readyfor the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consistsof two hydraulic circuits. If onecircuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop thevehicle. For normal brakingperformance, both circuits need tobe working.
If the warning light comes on, thereis a brake problem. Have the brakesystem inspected right away.
MetricEnglish
This light should come on brieflywhen the engine is started. If it doesnot come on then, have it fixed so itwill be ready to warn you if there isaproblem.
If the light comes on and stays on,there is a brake problem.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Electric Parking Brake
Light
MetricEnglish
This light comes on when theparking brake is applied. If the lightcontinues flashing after the parkingbrake is released, or while driving,there is a problem with the ElectricParking Brake system or anothersystem. A message may also

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 125
display in the Driver InformationCenter (DIC). SeeBrake SystemMessages0138.
If the light does not come on,or remains flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
For vehicles with the ElectricParking Brake (EPB), the serviceelectric parking brake light shouldcome on briefly when the vehicle isin ON/RUN. If it does not come on,have the vehicle serviced by yourdealer.
If this light stays on, there is aproblem with a system on thevehicle that is causing the parkingbrake system to work at a reducedlevel. The vehicle can still be driven,but should be taken to a dealer as
soon as possible. SeeElectricParking Brake0238.Ifamessagedisplays in the Driver InformationCenter (DIC), seeBrake SystemMessages0138.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS), this light comes onbriefly when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicleserviced by your dealer. If thesystem is working normally, theindicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn theignition off. If the light comes onwhile driving, stop as soon as it issafely possible and turn the ignitionoff. Then start the engine again toreset the system. If the ABS lightstays on, or comes on again while
driving, the vehicle needs service.If the regular brake system warninglight is not on, the vehicle still hasbrakes, but not antilock brakes.If the regular brake system warninglight is also on, the vehicle does nothave antilock brakes and there is aproblem with the regular brakes.SeeBrake System WarningLight0124.
For vehicles with a DriverInformation Center (DIC), seeBrakeSystem Messages0138for allbrake-related DIC messages.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light
If available, this light comes onbriefly while starting the vehicle.
If it does not come on, have thevehicle serviced.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 137
Following Distance Indicator :When Adaptive Cruise Control(ACC) is not engaged, the currentfollow time to the vehicle ahead isdisplayed as a time value on thispage. When ACC has beenengaged, the display switches to thegap setting page. This page showsthe current gap setting along withthe vehicle ahead indicator.
Battery Voltage :Displays thecurrent battery voltage, if equipped.Battery voltage changes are normalwhile driving. SeeCharging SystemLight0122.Ifthereisaproblemwith the battery charging system,the DIC will display a message. SeeBattery Voltage and ChargingMessages0138.
Coolant Temperature :Shows theengine coolant temperature in eitherdegrees Celsius (°C) or degreesFahrenheit (°F).
Oil Pressure :Oil pressure isdisplayed in either kilopascal (kPa)or in pounds per square inch (psi).
Oil pressure can vary with enginespeed, outside temperature, and oilviscosity. On some models, the oil
pump will vary engine oil pressureaccording to engine needs. Oilpressure may change quickly as theengine speed or load varies. This isnormal. If the oil pressure warninglight or Driver Information Center(DIC) message indicates oilpressure outside the normaloperating range, check the vehicle'soil as soon as possible. SeeEngineOil Messages0141.
Drive Cycle Info (Hybrid) :Thisscreen displays the distancetraveled and average fuel economyfor the current trip. The screen willalso be shown when the vehicle isturned off displaying the previoustrip’sinformation.
Efficiency Gauge (Hybrid) :Thisgauge is a guide to driving in anefficient manner by keeping theindicator in the center of the gauge.
.Accel: If the indicator moves tothe right of the gauge,acceleration is too aggressive tooptimize efficiency.
.Brake: If the indicator moves tothe left side of the gauge,braking is too aggressive tooptimize efficiency.
To t a l P o w e r D i s p l a y ( H y b r i d ) :Provides a numeric display of thetotal power being used to propel orstop the vehicle. The display showsthe power being provided by thebattery or charging the battery aswell as the power provided by theengine.
EV Operation (Hybrid) :The barmoves from left to right as the driverrequests more power from thepropulsion system. While in EVmode, maintaining the bar in thegreen zone will allow the driver tomaximize EV operation.
Blank Page :Shows noinformation.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
142 Instruments and Controls
NO REMOTE DETECTED
This message displays when thetransmitter battery may be weak.See“Starting the Vehicle with a LowTransmitter Battery”underRemoteKeyless Entry (RKE) SystemOperation032.
NO REMOTE DETECTED
PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART
This message displays whenattempting to turn off the vehicleand the RKE transmitter is no longerdetected. Restarting is allowedwithout the RKE transmitter forfive minutes. Press the brake pedaland ENGINE START/STOP torestart the vehicle.
NUMBER OF KEYS
PROGRAMMED
This message displays whenprogramming new keys to thevehicle.
REMOTE LEFT IN VEHICLE
This message displays whenleaving the vehicle with the RKEtransmitter still inside.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when thebattery in the RKE transmitter needsto be replaced.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL
ON/OFF
This message is displayed when theautomatic light control has beenturned on or off. SeeAutomaticHeadlamp System0166.
CHECK XXX TURN
SIGNAL LAMP
When one of the turn signals is out,this message displays to showwhich bulb needs to be replaced.SeeBulb Replacement0305andReplacement Bulbs0309.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message is displayed if theturn signal has been left on. Turn offthe turn signal.
Object Detection System
Messages
24 GHz RADARS OFF
This message displays when drivingin certain areas where there may beradar interference. Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC), Forward CollisionAlert (FCA), and the ForwardAutomatic Braking (FAB) may notwork or may not work as well. Thevehicle does not need service.
FORWARD COLLISION
SYSTEM OFF
This message displays whenForward Automatic Braking (FAB)has been turned off. SeeForwardAutomatic Braking (FAB)0260.
FORWARD COLLISION
SYSTEM REDUCED
This message displays when theForward Automatic Braking (FAB)has been set to the Alert setting.This setting disables FAB functions.SeeForward Automatic Braking(FAB)0260.