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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0203.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 158.
IntelliBeam System Button
(If Equipped). See Exterior
Lamp Controls 0154.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) 0112 orInstrument
Cluster (Uplevel) 0114.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0134 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0106.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0157.
6. Infotainment 0162.
7. Climate Control Systems
0196.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0199 (If Equipped).
8. Hazard Warning Flashers
0157.
9. Power Outlets 0109. 10.
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0231.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0243
(If Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0224.
12. Electric Parking Brake 0228.
13. USB Port 0176.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button. SeeIgnition Positions 0216.
15. Steering Wheel Controls 0105.
Driver Information Center
Buttons.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0134 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131.
16. Horn 0106.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0105.
18. Cruise Control 0233.
Adaptive Cruise Control 0235
(If Equipped). Heated Steering Wheel
0106
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0247 (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0255
(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See Hood
0 271.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0122.
21. Exterior Lamp Controls 0154.
22. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0158.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
46 Keys, Doors, and Windows
After pulling the emergency trunk
release handle, push the handle
back into the bezel.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off :Alarm system is disarmed. On Solid :
Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the trunk
is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the trunk and the hood. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
. Use the Keyless Access
system, if equipped.
. With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
204 Climate Controls
2. Disconnect the glove box doordampener arm from the glove
box door assembly.
3. Squeeze both sides of the glove box door to open beyond
the stops.
4. Release the retainer clipsholding the service door. Open
the service door and remove
the old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door and retainer clips.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box. See your dealer if additional
assistance is needed.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained
and certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should
never be repaired or replaced by
one from a salvage vehicle.
It should only be replaced by a new
evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants
should be reclaimed with proper
equipment. Venting refrigerants
directly to the atmosphere is harmful
to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite,
or other health-based concerns.
Page 272 of 413
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 271
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records0371.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
with this symbol on it. It is
inside the vehicle to the left of
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary release
handle. The handle is under
the front edge of the hood near
the center. Slide the secondary
hood release handle toward
the driver side of the vehicle.3. Lift the hood and pull the proprod by the sleeve from the
retainer, located above the
radiator.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
272 Vehicle Care
4. Securely place the hood proprod into the slot on the
underside of the hood.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop rod. Remove the hood
prop rod by the sleeve from the
retainer slot on the underside
of the hood and return the
hood prop rod to its retainer
above the radiator. The hood
prop rod must click into place
when returning it to the retainer
to prevent hood damage.
2. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 295
3. With the latch open, pull thewiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to
release it from the J-hooked
end of the wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in
lifting and holding open the hood/
trunk/liftgate system in full open
position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open
the hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail,
you or others could be seriously
injured. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service immediately.
Visually inspect the gas struts for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to
make sure the hood/trunk/liftgate
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
is held open with enough force.
If struts are failing to hold the
hood/trunk/liftgate, do not
operate. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do
not push down or pull on gas
struts. This may cause damage to
the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0360.Hood
Trunk
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Service and Maintenance 369
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Engine Coolant (Except 1.8L Hybrid) 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. Engine Coolant and Power
Electronics Cooling System (1.8L
Hybrid Only) Use Only Premix DEX-COOL Coolant (GM Part No. 12378390, in
Canada 10953456).
See
Cooling System (Engine) 0283 orCooling System (Power
Electronics) 0287.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 278.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and
Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in
Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2 Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19353126, in Canada 19299819).
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 10953481).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.