2020 CHEVROLET MALIBU tow

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/21/19
298 Vehicle Care
Caution
To prevent scratching, never use
abrasive cleaners on automotive
glass. Abrasive cleaners or
aggressive cleaning may damage
the rear window defogger.
Cleaning the windshield with water
during the first three to six months
of ownership will reduce tendency
to fog.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover
gently, so that the speaker will not
be damaged. Clean spots with water
and mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
. When lightly soiled, wipe with a
sponge or soft, lint-free cloth
dampened with water.
. When heavily soiled, use warm
soapy water.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede
Start by vacuuming the surface
using a soft brush attachment. If a
rotating vacuum brush attachment is
being used, only use it on the floor
carpet. Before cleaning, gently
remove as much of the soil as
possible:
.Gently blot liquids with a paper
towel. Continue blotting until no
more soil can be removed.
. For solid soils, remove as much
as possible prior to vacuuming.
To clean: 1. Saturate a clean, lint-free colorfast cloth with water.
Microfiber cloth is
recommended to prevent lint
transfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture by gently wringing until water does
not drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the
center. Fold the cleaning cloth to a clean area frequently to
prevent forcing the soil in to the
fabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing the soiled area until there is no
longer any color transfer from
the soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap
solution followed only by plain
water.
If the soil is not completely
removed, it may be necessary to
use a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. Test a small
hidden area for colorfastness before
using a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ring
formation occurs, clean the entire
fabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper towel to
blot excess moisture.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Service and Maintenance 303
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 151.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel (1.5L
Engine) 0198 or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L
Engine) 0199. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.
Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work 0214.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
324 Customer Information
.Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
. Telephone number of your
location
. Location of the vehicle
. Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
. Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN), and
delivery date of the vehicle
. Description of the problem
Coverage
Services are provided for the
duration of the vehicle’s powertrain
warranty.
In the U.S., anyone driving the
vehicle is covered. In Canada, a
person driving the vehicle without
permission from the owner is not
covered.
Roadside Assistance is not a part of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
General Motors North America and
Chevrolet reserve the right to make any changes or discontinue the
Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notification.
General Motors North America and
Chevrolet reserve the right to limit
services or payment to an owner or
driver if they decide the claims are
made too often, or the same type of
claim is made many times.
Services Provided
.
Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
. Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
. Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Chevrolet dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be driven. Assistance is not given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
. Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
. Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
event, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed within the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are reasonable
and customary hotel, meals,
rental car, or a vehicle being
delivered back to the customer,
up to 500 miles.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Customer Information 325
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws
. Legal fines
. Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices
Service is not provided if a vehicle
is in an area that is not accessible
to the service vehicle or is not a
regularly traveled or maintained
public road, which includes ice and
winter roads. Off-road use is not
covered.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles
. Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is up to 7 liters. If available,
diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
. Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required. .
Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
150 km from where your trip was
started to qualify.
Pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy of
the repair orders are required.
Once authorization has been
received, the Roadside
Assistance advisor will help to
make arrangements and explain
how to receive payment.
. Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
permission to get local
emergency road service. You will
receive payment, up to $100,
after sending the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs not
covered by the warranty are the
owner responsibility.
Scheduling Service
Appointments
When the vehicle requires warranty
service, contact your dealer and
request an appointment. By
scheduling a service appointment
and advising the service consultant
of your transportation needs, your
dealer can help minimize your
inconvenience.
If the vehicle cannot be scheduled
into the service department
immediately, keep driving it until it
can be scheduled for service,
unless, of course, the problem is
safety related. If it is, please call
your dealership, let them know this,
and ask for instructions.
If your dealer requests you to bring
the vehicle for service, you are
urged to do so as early in the work
day as possible to allow for
same-day repair.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
328 Customer Information
aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not
specify aftermarket collision parts.
When purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you ensure that the
vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts.
If such insurance coverage is not
available from your current
insurance carrier, consider switching
to another insurance carrier.
If the vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to have
insurance that ensures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts or
Genuine Manufacturer replacement
parts. Read the lease carefully, as
you may be charged at the end of
the lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help. Do not
leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of.
Move the vehicle only if its positionputs you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
Roadside Assistance Program
0
323.
Gather the following information:
. Driver name, address, and
telephone number
. Driver license number
. Owner name, address, and
telephone number
. Vehicle license plate number
. Vehicle make, model, and
model year
. Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
. Insurance company and policy
number
. General description of the
damage to the other vehicle Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See
“Collision Parts” earlier in this
section.
If the airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? 058.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requires
damage repairs, GM recommends
that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined
repair facility of choice, take the
vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any
required replacement collision parts
be original equipment parts, either
new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
the GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Index 349
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 188
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 144
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 149
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 151
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 168
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 106
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Electrical System (cont'd)
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 216
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 163
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 223
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 332
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 125
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 127
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
F
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 128
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 222
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
350 Index
Front Seats (cont'd)Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 41
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 144
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 111
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 162
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . 198, 199
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
G
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
GaugesEngine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Gauges (cont'd)
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 302
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 128
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Headlamps (cont'd)
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . .112
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 127
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . .112
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 137
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 259
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 149
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 137

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Index 353
ParkingBrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 235
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 162
Parking or Backing
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 183
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 59
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 108
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 213
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 160
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 51 Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 331
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 326
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .213, 232, 286,
Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 329
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 183
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198, 199
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 289
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 65
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 331
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323