Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
222 Driving and Operating
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 262.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to
prevent movement of the shift lever
out of P (Park), unless the ignition is
on and the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0343.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If still unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem
shifting, see your dealer.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is better not to park with the
vehicle running. If the vehicle is left
while running, follow the proper
steps to be sure the vehicle will not move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See
Shifting Into Park 0221 and
Engine Exhaust 0223.
If the vehicle is left parked while
running and the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter is outside
the vehicle, the vehicle will turn off
after one hour. If the vehicle is left
parked while running and the RKE
transmitter is inside, the vehicle will
turn off after two hours.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is
taken out of P (Park) while it is
running.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 269
Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 342
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0291
and Jump Starting - North America
0 343 and the back cover.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
274 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
7. Battery - North America 0291.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
276 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid Fill Cap. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid 0282.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343. 9. Power Electronics Coolant
Reservoir.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289.
12. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
278 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
7. Battery - North America 0291.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0281.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0273 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 293
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting -
North America 0343 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 343
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle 12-volt battery, seeBattery -
North America 0291.
If the battery has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle
and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the
following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
HANDLING.For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0269 and the back
cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
. They contain acid that can
burn you.
. They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
. They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
344 Vehicle Care
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to the vehicle
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Trying to start
the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage
the vehicle.
1.5L L4 Engine Shown, 2.0L L4Engine Similar
1. Discharged Battery RemotePositive Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Remote Negative Terminal 3. Good Battery Remote
Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Remote Positive Terminal
1.8L Hybrid L4 Engine
1. Discharged Battery Remote
Positive Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Remote Negative Terminal
3. Good Battery Remote Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Remote Positive Terminal
The vehicle has a remote
positive (+) terminal under a trim
cover. It is under the cover of the engine compartment fuse block on
the driver side of the engine
compartment. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0273. You
should always use this remote
positive (+) terminal.
The jump start negative ground
terminal for the discharged battery
is on the shock tower on the driver
side of the engine compartment.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a