
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 21
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 21
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 21
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 27
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents0163.
2. Turn Signal Lever. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals
0151.
IntelliBeam System Button (If
Equipped). SeeExterior Lamp
Controls0147.
3.Instrument Cluster (Uplevel)
0116or
Instrument Cluster (Base
Level)0115.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level)0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
4.Windshield Wiper/Washer
0109.
5. Light Sensor. SeeAutomatic
Headlamp System0150.
6.Infotainment0155.
7.Climate Control Systems
0156.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System0159(If Equipped).
8.Hazard Warning Flashers
0150.9.Power Outlets0110.
10.Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0192.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing0205(If
Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission0185.
12.Electric Parking Brake0189(If
Equipped).
13. USB Port. See the infotainment
manual.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button.
SeeIgnition Positions0176.
15.Steering Wheel Controls0108.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
16.Horn0108.
17.Steering Wheel Adjustment
0108(Out of View).18.Cruise Control0194.
Adaptive Cruise Control0196
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel0108
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System0209(If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)0217
(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. SeeHood
0235.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of
View). SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light)0124.
21.Parking Brake0188(If
Equipped).
22.Exterior Lamp Controls0147.
23.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control0151.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
16 In Brief
5:Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights.
See:
.
Exterior Lamp Controls0147
.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
0149
Windshield Wiper/Washer
With the ignition on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY, move the lever to
select the wiper speed.
HI :Use for fast wipes.
LO :Use for slow wipes.
INT :Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then adjust the
band to control the frequency of
wipes.
OFF :Use to turn the wipers off.
1X :For a single wipe, briefly move
the lever down. For several wipes,
hold the lever down.
f:Pull the lever toward you to
spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers.
SeeWindshield Wiper/Washer
0109.
Climate Controls
If equipped with one of these
systems, it controls the heating,
cooling, and ventilation.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 107
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 108
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 108
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 108
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Pedestrian Safety Signal
(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 109
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Instrument Cluster
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Tachometer (Non-Hybrid) . . . . . 119Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Indicator Gauge . . . . . . . 121
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 122
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 123
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 124
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 124
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Electric Parking Brake
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 128
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 128
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 129
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
(Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 131
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base
Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Low Fuel Warning Light
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle Ready Light
(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 132
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 132
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 133
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 133
Information Displays
Power Flows (Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . 133
Energy Information
(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 141
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 141
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 142

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 109
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is on the side of the steering
column. With the ignition on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY, move the
windshield wiper lever to select the
wiper speed.
HI :Use for fast wipes.LO :Use for slow wipes.INT :Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn the
band up for more frequent wipes or
down for less frequent wipes.
OFF :Use to turn the wipers off.
1X :For a single wipe, briefly move
the lever down. For several wipes,
hold the lever down.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and windshield before using
them. If frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them.
Damaged blades should be
replaced. SeeWiper Blade
Replacement0261.Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. If the wiper motor
overheats, the windshield wipers will
stop until the motor cools and the
wiper control is turned off. See
Electrical System Overload0267.
Wiper Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the
wipers are on LO, HI, or INT, they
will immediately stop.
If the windshield wiper lever is then
moved to OFF before the driver
door is opened or within 10 minutes,
the wipers will restart and move to
the base of the windshield.
If the ignition is turned off while the
wipers are performing wipes due to
windshield washing, the wipers
continue to run until they reach the
base of the windshield.
f:Pull the windshield wiper
lever toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
The wipers will continue until the
lever is released or the maximum
wash time is reached. When the
lever is released, additional wipes
may occur depending on how long

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 141
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
.
Service Messages
.
Fluid Levels
.
Vehicle Security.
Brakes
.
Steering
.
Ride Control Systems
.
Driver Assistance Systems
.
Cruise Control
.
Lighting and Bulb Replacement
.
Wiper/Washer Systems
.
Doors and Windows
.
Seat Belts
.
Airbag Systems
.
Engine and Transmission
.
Tire Pressure
.
Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's propulsion power is
reduced. A reduction in propulsion
power can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance maybe reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, or displays
repeatedly, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX
KM/H (MPH)
This message shows that the
vehicle speed has been limited to
the speed displayed. The limited
speed is a protection for various
propulsion and vehicle systems,
such as lubrication, thermal,
suspension, Teen Driver if
equipped, or tires.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
150 Lighting
The DRL turn off when the
headlamps are turned to
Oor(,
or when the ignition is off. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, the
DRL can only be turned off when
the vehicle is parked.
Automatic Headlamp
System
The headlamps come on
automatically when the exterior
lamp control is set to AUTO and it is
dark enough outside.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor, otherwise the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned to
Oor the ignition
is off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps
come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers arenot operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
O
or;to disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|:Press this button to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps
flash on and off. Press again to turn
the flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
232 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 233
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements . . . . . 234
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 245
Automatic Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Air Filter Life
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 247
Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 248
Cooling System (Power
Electronics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 253
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Battery - North America . . . . . . 257
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 260
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 261
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 262
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 264
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LT and Premier) . . . . . 266
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 266
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Electrical System Overload . . . 267
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 268
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291