
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Passenger Sensing System . . . 13Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 20Bluetooth®..................... 20Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Forward AutomaticBraking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 24Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 24Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Automatic ParkingAssist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Universal Remote System . . . . . 25Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
High Voltage SafetyInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Regenerative Braking(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 28Fuel (1.5L and 1.8LEngines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 29Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Roadside AssistanceProgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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 - 6/1/16
24 In Brief
Lane Change Alert (LCA)
If equipped, the LCA system is alane-changing aid that assistsdrivers with avoiding lane changecrashes that occur with movingvehicles in the side blind zone (orspot) areas or with vehicles rapidlyapproaching these areas frombehind. The LCA warning displaywill light up in the correspondingoutside side mirror and will flash ifthe turn signal is on. The Side BlindZone Alert (SBZA) system isincluded as part of the LCA system.
SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)0263andLane Change Alert(LCA)0264.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If equipped, RVC displays a view ofthe area behind the vehicle on theinfotainment display when thevehicle is shifted into R (Reverse) toaid with parking and low-speedbacking maneuvers.
SeeAssistance Systems for Parkingor Backing0253.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) System
If equipped, the RCTA system usesatrianglewithanarrowdisplayedon the RVC screen to warn of trafficbehind your vehicle that may crossyour vehicle's path while inR(Reverse). In addition, beeps willsound.
SeeAssistance Systems for Parkingor Backing0253.
Parking Assist
If equipped, Front and Rear ParkingAssist (FRPA) uses sensors on thefront and rear bumpers to assistwith parking and avoiding objectsduring low-speed parkingmaneuvers. It operates at speedsless than 8 km/h (5 mph). Thesystem may display a warningtriangle on the RVC screen and agraphic on the instrument cluster toprovide the object distance. Inaddition, multiple beeps may occurif very close to an object.
SeeAssistance Systems for Parkingor Backing0253.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
If equipped, the APA system helpsto search for and maneuver thevehicle into parallel or perpendicularparking spots using automaticsteering, DIC displays, and beeps.When the vehicle speed is below
30 km/h (18 mph), pressOto
enable the system.
See“Automatic Parking Assist(APA)”underAssistance Systemsfor Parking or Backing0253.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can beused to plug in electrical equipment,such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory poweroutlets:
.One on the center stack belowthe climate control system.
.One on the rear of the centerfloor console.
Open the protective cover to use theaccessory power outlet.

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 123
Caution (Continued)
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’sabilitytopass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and
Modifications0280.
If the light is flashing :Amalfunction has been detected thatcould damage the emission controlsystem and increase vehicleemissions. Diagnosis and servicemay be required.
To h e l p p r e v e n t d a m a g e , r e d u c evehicle speed and avoid hardaccelerations and uphill grades.If towing a trailer, reduce theamount of cargo being hauled assoon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find asafe place to park. Turn the vehicleoff and wait at least 10 secondsbefore restarting the engine. If thelight is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see yourdealer for service as soon aspossible.
If the light is on steady :Amalfunction has been detected.Diagnosis and service may berequired.
Check the following:
.If fuel has been added to thevehicle using the capless funneladapter, make sure that it hasbeen removed. See“Filling theTa n k w i t h a P o r t a b l e G a s C a n”underFilling the Tank0269.The diagnostic system candetect if the adapter has beenleft installed in the vehicle,allowing fuel to evaporate intothe atmosphere. A few drivingtrips with the adapter removedmay turn off the light.
.Poor fuel quality can causeinefficient engine operation andpoor driveability, which may goaway once the engine is warmedup. If this occurs, change thefuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the properfuel to turn the light off. SeeFuel0268.
If the light remains on, see yourdealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an EmissionsInspection/Maintenance test, thetest equipment will likely connect tothe vehicle's Data LinkConnector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrumentpanel to the left of the steeringwheel. Connecting devices that arenot used to perform an EmissionsInspection/Maintenance test or toservice the vehicle may affectvehicle operation. SeeAdd-OnElectrical Equipment0277.Seeyour dealer if assistance is needed.

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
138 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DICindicate the status of the vehicle orsome action that may be needed tocorrect a condition. Multiplemessages may appear one afteranother.
The messages that do not requireimmediate action can beacknowledged and cleared by
pressingV.
The messages that requireimmediate action cannot be cleareduntil that action is performed.
All messages should be takenseriously; clearing the messagedoes not correct the problem.
The following are the possiblemessages and some informationabout them.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
(12-Volt Battery)
This message displays when thevehicle has detected that the batteryvoltage is dropping beyond areasonable point. The battery saversystem starts reducing features ofthe vehicle that may be noticed. Atthe point that features are disabled,this message displays. Turn offunnecessary accessories to allowthe battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY (12-Volt
Battery)
This message is displayed when thebattery voltage is low. SeeBattery -North America0301.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed whenthere is a fault in the batterycharging system. Take the vehicle toyour dealer for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when thebrake fluid level is low. SeeBrakeFluid0300.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message may be displayedwhen there is a problem with thebrake boost assist system. Whenthis message is displayed, the brakeboost assist motor might be heardoperating and you might noticepulsation in the brake pedal. This isnormal under these conditions. Takethe vehicle to your dealer forservice.
SERVICE PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed whenthere is a problem with the ElectricParking Brake. SeeElectric ParkingBrake0238.Takethevehicletoyour dealer.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 143
FORWARD COLLISION
SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when theForward Automatic Braking (FAB)has been unavailable for some time.The FAB System does not needservice.
This can occur under the followingconditions:
.The front of the vehicle orwindshield is not clean. Keepthese areas clean and free ofmud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush.For cleaning instructions, seeExterior Care0358.
.Heavy rain or snow is interferingwith the object detectionperformance.
This message may also bedisplayed if there is a problem withthe StabiliTrak system. SeeTr a c t i o nControl/Electronic StabilityControl0241
FORWARD COLLISION
ALERT OFF
This message displays when theForward Collision Alert has beenturned off.
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when thecamera is blocked. Cleaning theoutside of the windshield behind therearview mirror may correct theissue. The Front Pedestrian Braking(FPB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), andLane Departure Warning (LDW) willnot operate. Adaptive Cruise Control(ACC), Forward Collision Alert(FCA), and the Forward AutomaticBraking (FAB) may not work or maynot work as well.
LANE CHANGE ALERT OFF
This message indicates that thedriver has turned the Side BlindZone Alert (SBZA) and LaneChange Alert (LCA) systems off.
LANE KEEPING ASSIST
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when theLane Keep Assist (LKA) and LaneDeparture Warning (LDW) system istemporarily unavailable. The LKAsystem does not need service.
This message could be due to thecamera being blocked. Cleaning theoutside of the windshield behind therearview mirror may correct theissue.
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when theParking Assist system has beenturned off or when there is atemporary condition causing thesystem to be disabled.
SERVICE FORWARD
COLLISION SYSTEM
If this message displays, take thevehicle to your dealer to repair thesystem.