
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
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a briefoverview about some of theimportant features that may or maynot be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, referto each of the features which can befound later in this owner manual.
Stop/Start System
The vehicle may have a fuel savingstop/start system to shut off theengine and help conserve fuel.
When the brakes are applied andthe vehicle is at a complete stop,the engine may turn off. When thebrake pedal is released or theaccelerator pedal is pressed, theengine will restart. SeeStarting theEngine0227.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)transmitter may work up to 60 m(197 ft) away from the vehicle.
With Remote Start Shown
K:Press to unlock the driver dooror all doors, depending on thevehicle personalization setting.
Q:Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can bepersonalized.
X:Press twice quickly to open thetrunk.
7:Press and release one time toinitiate vehicle locator. Press andhold for at least three seconds tosound the panic alarm. Press againto cancel the panic alarm.
SeeKeys031andRemote KeylessEntry (RKE) System Operation032.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can bestarted from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately, press and hold/
for at least four seconds or untilthe turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally afterentering.
When the vehicle starts, the parkinglamps will turn on.
For the hybrid vehicle, the enginewill only start if needed for warmingfunctions or high voltage batterycharging.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
26 In Brief
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Vehicle Operation
The hybrid vehicle combinesgasoline and electric propulsion todrive the vehicle. The gas enginewill automatically start to providepower. It will shut off to save fuel.The engine may remainrunning when:
.There is aggressive accelerationor climbing hills.
.Vehicle speed is greater than88 km/h (55 mph).
.The high voltage battery ischarging.
.The heater is being used.
The engine and transmission worktogether to provide the requiredpower at the highest efficiency. Thismay result in higher engine speeds.SeeDriving for Better FuelEconomy029.
High Voltage Safety
Information
{Warning
Exposure to high voltage can
cause shock, burns, and even
death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering or labels. Do not
probe, tamper with, cut, or modify
high voltage cable or wiring.
This vehicle has a high voltagebattery and a standard 12-voltbattery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, thesensing system may shut down thehigh voltage system. When thisoccurs, the high voltage battery isdisconnected and the vehicle will
not start. The SERVICE VEHICLESOON message in the DriverInformation Center (DIC) will bedisplayed. Before the vehicle can beoperated again, it must be servicedat your dealer.
{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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
38 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The battery is not rechargeable. Toreplace the battery:
1. Press the button on the side ofthe transmitter near the bottomand pull the key out.
2. Separate the two halves of thetransmitter using a flat toolinserted into the area near thekey slot.
3. Remove the battery by pushingon the battery and sliding ittoward the bottom of thetransmitter.
4. Insert the new battery, positiveside facing the back cover.Push the battery down until it isheld in place. Replace with aCR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back onto the transmitter.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, this feature allows theengine to be started from outsidethe vehicle.
For the hybrid vehicle, the enginewill only start if needed for warmingfunctions or high voltage batterycharging.
/:This button will be on the RKEtransmitter if the vehicle has remotestart.
The climate control system will usethe previous settings during aremote start. The rear windowdefogger may come on during aremote start based on cold ambient

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
Instruments and Controls 109
The power outlet is on the rear ofthe center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turnson to show it is in use. The lightcomes on when the ignition is inON/RUN and equipment requiringless than 150 watts is plugged intothe outlet, and no system fault isdetected.
The indicator light does not come onif the ignition is in LOCK/OFF, noequipment is plugged into the outlet,or if the equipment is plugged, butnot fully seated in the outlet.
If equipment is connected usingmore than 150 watts or a systemfault is detected, the equipment may
operate briefly then turn off.Aprotectioncircuitshutsoffthepower supply and the indicator lightturns off. To reset the circuit, unplugthe item and plug it back in or turnthe Retained Accessory Power(RAP) off and then back on. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)0230.Thepowerrestartswhenequipment using 150 watts or less isplugged into the outlet and a systemfault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed forthe following, and may not workproperly if they are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peakwattage, such ascompressor-driven refrigeratorsand electric power tools.
.Other equipment requiring anextremely stable power supply,such asmicrocomputer-controlledelectric blankets and touchsensor lamps.
.Medical equipment.
SeeHigh Voltage Devices andWiring0309.
Wireless Charging
The vehicle may have a wirelesscharging pocket outside the armrestof the center console. The systemwirelessly charges one PMA or Qicompatible mobile device.
To c h e c k f o r p h o n e o r o t h e r d e v i c ecompatibility:
.In the U.S., seemy.chevrolet.com/learn.
.In Canada, seegmtotalconnect.ca.
.Or, see your dealer for details.
{Warning
Wireless charging can affect the
operation of an implanted
pacemaker or other medical
devices. If you have one, it is
recommended to consult with
your doctor before using the
wireless charging system.
The vehicle must be in ON/RUN,ACC/ACCESSORY, or RetainedAccessory Power (RAP). The

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
110 Instruments and Controls
wireless charging feature may notcorrectly indicate charging when thevehicle is in RAP. SeeRetainedAccessory Power (RAP)0230.
The operating temperature is✓20 °C(✓4°F) to 60°C (140°F) for thecharging system and 0 °C (32 °F) to35 °C (95 °F) for the mobile device.
{Warning
Remove all metal objects from the
charging pocket before charging
your mobile device. Metal objects,
such as coins, keys, rings,
or paper clips, between the phone
and the charger will become very
hot. On the rare occasion that the
charging system does not detect
ametalobject,andtheobject
gets wedged between the phone
and the charger, remove the
phone and allow the metallic
object to cool before removing it
from the charging pocket, to
prevent burns.
To c h a r g e a m o b i l e d e v i c e :
1. Remove all objects from thecharging pocket. The systemmay not charge if there are anyobjects in the charging pocket.
2. With the mobile device screenfacing the rear of the vehicle,slowly insert the device into the
charging pocket until~
displays on theVon the
infotainment screen. Thisindicates that the mobile deviceis properly positioned andcharging. If a phone is inserted
into the pocket and~does
not display, remove the phonefrom the pocket, turn180 degrees and waitthree seconds before insertingthe phone into the pocketagain.