Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
26 In Brief
.
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC, press and hold
gon the center console, untili
andgilluminate in the
instrument cluster.
.
Press and release
gagain to
turn on both systems.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0192.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeVehicle Load Limits0172. The
warning light will remain on until the
tire pressure is corrected.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
0285.
Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)
This feature provides visual and
audible alerts outside the vehicle to
help when inflating an underinflated
tire to the recommended cold tire
pressure. See“Tire Fill Alert (If
Equipped)”underTire Pressure
Monitor Operation0286.
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines)
Regular Unleaded Fuel
Use only Regular 87 octane—(R
+M)/2—or higher unleaded
gasoline in your vehicle. TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. Do not use gasoline
with an octane rating lower as it will
result in reduced performance and
lower fuel economy. See
Recommended Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines)0220or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Engine)
0220.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 27
Fuel (2.0L Engine)
Premium Recommended
Use premium 93 octane—(R+M)/2
—unleaded gasoline in your
vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline is recommended.
Unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating as low as 87 may be used,
but it will reduce performance and
fuel economy. SeeRecommended
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L Engines)0220
or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Engine)
0220.
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greater
than E15 (15% ethanol by volume),
such as E85, cannot be used in this
vehicle.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on the
right side of the steering wheel,
display REMAINING OIL LIFEon the DIC. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level)0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137. When
remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the
display.
2. Press
Von the DIC controls
and hold down for a few
seconds to clear the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
and reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil
life display accidentally at any
time other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off and the REMAINING
OIL LIFE 100% message is
displayed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System0245.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
220 Driving and Operating
Recommended Fuel (1.5L
and 1.8L Engines)
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
Use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted 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.
Recommended Fuel (2.0L
Engine)
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
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 that are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16–50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.
Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal,
ferrocene, 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.
.
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.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Driving and Operating 221
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, seeProhibited
Fuels0220.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your country does
not have TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to
the vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at
every oil change or 15,000 km
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus−Gasoline will help keep your
vehicle’s engine fuel deposit free
and performing optimally.
Filling the Tank
The fuel door is on the passenger
side of the vehicle. To open the fuel
door, push and release the rearward
center edge of the door.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
.
Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.
Fuel spills.
.
Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care0318.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
Follow these guidelines:
.
To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
.
Turn off the engine when
refueling.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Driving and Operating 223
3. Remove and clean the funnel
adapter and return it to the
storage location.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.
Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.
Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.
Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.
Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.
Avoid using electronic
devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle to tow a trailer. Read the
entire section before towing a trailer.
To tow a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0315. To tow
the vehicle behind another vehicle
such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing0316.
When towing with the 2.0L L4
engine, only use unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 89 or
higher. Using gasoline with a lower
octane rating while towing may
damage the engine and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeRecommended Fuel (1.5L and
1.8L Engines)0220or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Engine)
0220.