Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
258 Driving and Operating
octane rating of 87 or higher. Do not
use gasoline with a posted octane
rating of less than 87, as this may
cause engine knock and will lower
fuel economy.
For vehicles with the 2.0L L4
engine, premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 93 is
highly recommended for best
performance and fuel economy.
Unleaded gasoline with an octane
rated as low as 87 can be used.
Using unleaded gasoline rated
below 93 octane, however, will lead
to reduced acceleration and fuel
economy. If knocking occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 93 octane as soon
as possible, otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 93 octane rating, the
engine needs service.Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:
. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16 –50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0122. If this
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Driving and Operating 267
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0122.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 082 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 83.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
368 Service and Maintenance
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
. Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see
Interior Care 0354 and
Exterior Care 0349.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical for
ensuring that the tires deliver
optimal wear and performance.
. Signs that the alignment may
need to be adjusted include
pulling, improper vehicle
handling, or unusual tire wear.
. Your dealer has the required
equipment to ensure proper
wheel alignment.
Windshield
For safety, appearance, and the
best viewing, keep the windshield
clean and clear.
. Signs of damage include
scratches, cracks, and chips.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the windshield and
recommend proper replacement
if needed. Wiper Blades
Wiper blades need to be cleaned
and kept in good condition to
provide a clear view.
.
Signs of wear include streaking,
skipping across the windshield,
and worn or split rubber.
. Trained dealer technicians can
check the wiper blades and
replace them when needed.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
402 Index
CargoTie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 103
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 122
Check Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 86
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 99
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 196 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 112, 114 Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 382
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 331
Connections OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . .119
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 199
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 283, 287
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 235
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 378 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 Customer Assistance (cont'd)
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Customer Information
Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 384
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 382
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 388
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 387
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Diagnostics
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
404 Index
Front Pedestrian Braking(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 61
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Low Fuel Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 129
Requirements, California . . . . . 258
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 301
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 150Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Gauges
Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Power Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 359
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 157
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 Headlamps (cont'd)
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 129
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 156
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 130
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 199
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 317
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 210
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 230
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Index 405
How to Wear Seat BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 199
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Indicator Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Information Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . 112, 114
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . 6
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 50
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 32
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 311
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 156
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . 253
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 255
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 125
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 158
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 124
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 124
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 128
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 156
Lane Keep Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . 128, 129
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 120
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Service Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Index 407
OrderingService Publications . . . . . . . . . . 384
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 294
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 222
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 243
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 78
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 126
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 270 Personalization
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Phone Apple CarPlay andAndroid Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . 182, 183, 187
Hands-Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Indicator Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 221
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 70
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 387
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 381
Proposition
65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .269, 291, 343, Back Cover
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 385
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
RadiosAM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Ready Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 243
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 347
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370