Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
164 Driving and Operating
Automatic
Transmission
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0160.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The brake pedal must be
fully applied, then press the shift
lever button before shifting from
P (Park) while the ignition is on.
If the vehicle will not shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) while maintaining
brake application. Then move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting out of Park 0161. R :
Use this gear to back up.Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0151.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
168 Driving and Operating
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle may have an Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). The EPB can
always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB system when the engine is
not running. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released.
The system has a
Y,f, or PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0106
and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 107.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Y,f, or PARK light to ensure
that the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Y,f, or PARK light will flash
and then stay on once the EPB is
fully applied. If the
Y,f, or PARK
light flashes continuously, then the
EPB is only partially applied or there
is a problem with the EPB. A DIC
(Driver Information Center) message
will display. Release the EPB and
try to apply it again. If the light does
not come on, or keeps flashing,
have the vehicle serviced. Do not
drive the vehicle if the
Y,f, or PARK light is flashing. See your
dealer. See
Electric Parking Brake
Light 0106.
If the
8light is on, pull the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Y,f, or PARK
light remains on. If the
8light
remains on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pressed. If the switch is pressed
until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
170 Driving and Operating
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade
for HSA to activate.Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of thevehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise
control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0151
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Driving and Operating 171
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
172 Driving and Operating
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0213.Cruise Control
Cruise control lets the vehicle
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With the Traction Control System
(TCS) or StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), the system
may begin to limit wheel spin while
you are using cruise control. If this
happens, cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0170. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0188. When
road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be
turned back on.
Cruise control will disengage if
either TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC is
turned off.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Driving and Operating 175
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, the ACC may
automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0170. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
ACC will not engage if the TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC system is disabled.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see “Alerting the Driver” in
this section. Complete attention is
always required while driving and
you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0145.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
The system may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Keep the
entire front of the vehicle
clean.
. Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow
conditions. ACC
performance is limited under
these conditions.
. On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive
wheel slip.
5:Press to turn the system on or
off. A white cruise control indicator
comes on in the instrument cluster.
+RES : If there is a set speed in
memory, press to resume that
speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If ACC is already active,
use to increase vehicle speed.
−SET : Press briefly to set the
speed and activate ACC. If ACC is
already active, use to decrease
vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage ACC
without erasing the set speed from
memory.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
178 Driving and Operating
Press[on the steering wheel to
adjust the following gap. When
pressed, the current gap setting
displays briefly on the instrument
cluster. Subsequent presses cycle
the gap button through three
settings: Far, Medium, or Near. The
gap setting will be maintained until it
is changed.
Since each gap setting corresponds
to a following time (Far, Medium,
or Near), the following distance will
vary based on vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle speed, the further
back your vehicle will follow a
vehicle detected ahead. Consider
traffic and weather conditions when
selecting the following gap. The
range of selectable gaps may not be
appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions.
Changing the gap setting
automatically changes the alert
timing sensitivity (Far, Medium,
or Near) for the Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) feature. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0188. Alerting the Driver
If ACC is engaged, driver action
may be required when ACC cannot
apply sufficient braking because of
approaching a vehicle too rapidly.
When this condition occurs, a series
of red lights will flash on the
windshield and eight beeps will
sound from the front.
See
Defensive Driving 0145.
Approaching and Following a
Vehicle
The vehicle ahead indicator is in the
instrument cluster. It only displays when a vehicle is
detected in your vehicle’s path
moving in the same direction.
If this symbol is not displaying, ACC
will not respond to or brake to
vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle
down and adjusts vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle in front at the
selected following gap. The vehicle
speed increases or decreases to
follow the vehicle in front of you, but
will not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake
lamps will come on. The automatic
braking may feel or sound different
than if the brakes were applied
manually. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Driving and Operating 187
After completely passing a large
enough space, an audible beep
occurs. A red stop symbol and
message is displayed.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), but
does not steer into the expected
space, this may be because the
system is maneuvering the vehicle
into a previously detected space.
The APA system does not need
service.APA will instruct the vehicle to stop
once a large enough space is found.
Follow the displayed instructions.
When instructed, shift to
R (Reverse) to engage automatic
steering. The steering wheel will
briefly vibrate as a reminder to
remove hands from the steering
wheel. Check surroundings and
continue braking or accelerating as
needed, and be prepared to stop to
avoid vehicles, pedestrians,
or objects.
If the vehicle exceeds 10 km/h
(6 mph), APA is automatically
disengaged and automatic steering
will turn off. A progress arrow
displays the status of the parking
maneuver. Depending on the space
size, additional maneuvers may berequired, and there will be additional
instructions. When changing gears,
allow the automatic steering to
complete before continuing the
parking maneuver. Upon successful
completion of a maneuver, APA will
beep and display a PARKING
COMPLETE message. Place the
vehicle in P (Park).
APA may automatically disengage if:
.
The steering wheel is used by
the driver.
. The maximum allowed speed is
exceeded.
. There is a failure with the APA
system.
. Electronic stability control or
antilock brakes are activated.
. A high priority vehicle message
is displayed in the DIC.
To cancel APA, press
Oagain.
When the System Does Not Seem
to Work Properly
The APA system may require a
short period of driving along curves
to calibrate.