Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . 31
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . 104
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 162
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . 205
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 359
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . 375
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . 385
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 20
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 23
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 24
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Universal Remote System . . . . . 25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Regenerative Braking (Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 29
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 9
Remote start can be extended.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start 038.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.
Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 032.
. Use the key in the driver door.
The key lock cylinder has a
cover. See Door Locks 040. To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
.
PressQorKon the power door
lock switch.
. Pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pulling the
handle again unlatches the door.
See Power Door Locks 042.
Trunk Release
To open the trunk:
.
Press
Xtwice on the RKE
transmitter. .
Press the touch pad on the rear
of the trunk after unlocking all
doors.
If equipped with Keyless Access,
the RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the trunk. Press the
touch pad on the rear of the trunk
and lift to open. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 032.
See Trunk 044.
Windows
Power windows work when the
ignition is on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or when Retained Accessory Power
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
10 In Brief
(RAP) is active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0221.
Using the window switch, press to
open or pull to close the window.
The windows may be temporarily
disabled if they are used repeatedly
within a short time.
Seat Adjustment
Manual Front Seats
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Manual Seat Height Adjuster
Move the lever on the outboard side
of the seat up or down to manually
raise or lower the seat.
See Seat Adjustment 056.
Power Seats
To adjust a power seat, if equipped:
.
Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
. Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the entire control up
or down.
. Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment 057.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 17
Climate Controls
If equipped with one of these systems, it controls the heating, cooling, and
ventilation.
Climate Control System
1. Fan Control
2. MAX Defrost
3. A/C (Air Conditioning) or Max/ Eco Air Conditioning (Stop/
Start Only)
4. TEMP (Temperature Control) 5. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
6. Recirculation
7. Air Delivery Mode Controls
8. Rear Window Defogger
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
18 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
1. Driver and Passenger Ventilated Seats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. MAX Defrost
4. Air Delivery Mode Controls
5. A/C (Air Conditioning) or Max/ Eco Air Conditioning (Stop/
Start Only)
6. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If Equipped) 7. SYNC
8. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
9. Fan Controls
10. Power (On/Off)
11. Recirculation
12. Rear Window Defogger
See Climate Control Systems 0196
or Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0199 (If Equipped).
Transmission
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the current
gear that has been selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
See Manual Mode 0225.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
26 In Brief
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Vehicle Operation
The hybrid vehicle combines
gasoline and electric propulsion to
drive the vehicle. The gas engine
will automatically start to provide
power. It will shut off to save fuel.
The engine may remain
running when:
.There is aggressive acceleration
or climbing hills.
. Vehicle speed is greater than
88 km/h (55 mph).
. The high voltage battery is
charging.
. The heater is being used.
The engine and transmission work
together to provide the required
power at the highest efficiency. This
may result in higher engine speeds.
See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 029.
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 voltage
battery and a standard 12-volt
battery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down the
high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can be
operated again, it must be serviced
at 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.
See
Customer Assistance Offices
0 377.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Keys, Doors, and Windows 31
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 38
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 43
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 46
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 47
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 50
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 50
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the RKE transmitter
in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path
of a closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with an RKE
transmitter.