2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU parking brake

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0169.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0107.
IntelliBeam System Button (If Equipped).
See Exterior Lamp Controls 0104.
3. Instrument Cluster 080.
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 094 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 96.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 075.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic Headlamp
System 0106.
6. Infotainment. See Overview0111.
7. Climate Control Systems 0164.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0 166 (If Equipped).
8. Hazard Warning Flashers 0106.
Stop/Start Disable Button (If Equipped).
See Stop/Start System 0184.
9. Power Outlets 077.
10. Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0193.
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing
0 205 (If Equipped). 11. Shift Lever. See
Automatic Transmission
0 188.
12. Electric Parking Brake 0192 (If Equipped).
13. USB Port 0120.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition
Positions 0182.
15. Steering Wheel Controls 075.
Driver Information Center Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 094 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 96.
16. Horn 075.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment 075 (Out
of View).
18. Cruise Control 0195.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) 0197
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 075 (If
Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 209 (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0216 (If
Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See Hood0229. 20. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 087.
21. Parking Brake 0191 (If Equipped).
22. Exterior Lamp Controls 0104.
23. Instrument Panel Illumination Control
0107.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
74 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 84
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 86
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 89
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 89
{Warning
The brake system might not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a crash.
If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Electric Parking Brake Light
MetricEnglish Base Level
English UplevelThis light comes on when the parking brake
is applied. If the light continues flashing
after the parking brake is released, or while
driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake system. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light does not come on, or remains
flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light
This light should come on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If this light stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). Take the vehicle to a
dealer as soon as possible. In addition to the
parking brake, other safety functions that
utilize the EPB may also be degraded. A message may also display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Electric Parking
Brake 0192.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This warning light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. If the light
does not come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving, safely
stop as soon as it is possible and turn off
the vehicle. Then turn on the vehicle again
to reset the system.
If the ABS warning light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. A chime may also sound when the
light stays on.
If the ABS warning light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but ABS is
not functioning.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 101
turned on by pressingK. See“Rear
Window Defogger” underDual Automatic
Climate Control System 0166.
Touch Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Touch and the following may display:
.Forward Collision System
.Front Pedestrian Detection
.Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
.Lane Change Alert
.Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
.Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Forward Collision System
This setting can alert of a potential crash
with a detected vehicle ahead and can apply
brakes to help reduce a collision’s severity.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Detection
This feature may help avoid or reduce the
harm caused by front-end crashes with
nearby pedestrians.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System
0 212.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake. Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides when it has
brought the vehicle to a complete stop
behind another stopping vehicle, and then
that vehicle drives on. See
Adaptive Cruise
Control (Advanced) 0197.
Touch Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This allows the Lane Change Alert feature to
be turned on or off. See Lane Change Alert
(LCA) 0214.
When Lane Change Alert is disabled, Side
Blind Zone Alert is also disabled.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
This setting enables the Rear Camera Park
Assist Symbols. See Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0205.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the Rear Cross Traffic Alert
feature to be turned on or off. See “Rear
Cross Traffic Alert” inAssistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0205. Touch Off or On.
Comfort and Convenience
Touch and the following may display:
.Chime Volume
.Reverse Tilt Mirror
Chime Volume
This allows the selection of the chime
volume level.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to adjust the volume.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, the driver, passenger, or both
driver and passenger outside mirrors will tilt
downward when the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) to improve visibility of the
ground near the rear wheels. They may
move from their tilted position when the
vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) or
turned off. See Reverse Tilt Mirrors 022.
Touch Off, On - Driver and Passenger, On -
Driver, or On - Passenger.
Lighting
Touch and the following may display:
.Vehicle Locator Lights
.Exit Lighting

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Infotainment System 153
This allows the device contacts to re-sync
if you are having difficulty accessing all of
the contacts on your cell phone.
.Delete All Vehicle Contacts: Touch to
delete all vehicle stored contacts.
.OnStar Phone TTY Mode: This enables
OnStar cell phone TTY mode.
Touch Disable or Enable.
Vehicle
This menu allows adjustment of different
vehicle features. SeeVehicle Personalization
0 100.
Teen Driver
If equipped, this allows multiple keys to be
registered for beginner drivers to encourage
safe driving habits. When the vehicle is
started with a Teen Driver key, it will
automatically activate certain safety
systems, allow setting of some features, and
limit the use of others. The Report Card will
record vehicle data about driving behavior
that can be viewed later. When the vehicle
is started with a registered key, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays a message
that Teen Driver is active. To access:
1. Touch Settings on the Home Page, then touch Vehicle, and then Teen Driver.
2. Create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by choosing a four-digit PIN.
Re-enter the PIN to confirm. To change
the PIN, touch Change PIN.
The PIN is required to:
.Register or unregister keys.
.Change Teen Driver settings.
.Change or clear the Teen Driver PIN.
.Access or delete Report Card data.
Register keys to activate Teen Driver and
assign restrictions to the key:
Any vehicle key can be registered, up to a
maximum of eight keys. Label the key to
tell it apart from the other keys.
For a pushbutton start system: 1. Start the engine.
2. For automatic transmissions, the vehicle must be in P (Park). For manual
transmissions, the vehicle must be
stopped with the parking brake set.
3. From the Settings menu, touch Vehicle and then Teen Driver.
4. Enter the PIN. 5. Place the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter key you wish to register in
the transmitter pocket. The key does not
need to be the one that started the
vehicle. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07for transmitter
pocket location.
6. From the Teen Driver menu, touch Setup Keys.
.If the transmitter key has not
previously been registered, the option
to add the key displays. Touch Setup
and a confirmation message displays.
Teen Driver restrictions will be
applied whenever this key is used to
operate the vehicle.
.If the transmitter key has already
been registered, the option to
remove the key displays. If Remove is
touched, the transmitter key is no
longer registered. A confirmation
message displays, and Teen Driver
restrictions will not be applied if this
transmitter key is used to operate
the vehicle.
In vehicles with a pushbutton start system,
if a Teen Driver and a non-Teen Driver key
are both present at start up, the vehicle will

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
154 Infotainment System
recognize the non-Teen Driver key to start
the vehicle. The Teen Driver settings will not
be active.
For a keyed ignition system:1. Start the engine.
2. For automatic transmissions, the vehicle must be in P (Park). For manual
transmissions, the vehicle must be
stopped with the parking brake set.
3. From the Settings menu, touch Vehicle and then Teen Driver.
4. Enter the PIN.
5. Touch Setup Keys. The system displays instructions for registering or
unregistering a key. A confirmation
message displays.
Manage Settings
Buckle To Drive : When turned ON, Buckle
to Drive prevents the driver from shifting
out of P (Park) for a period of time if driver
seat belt, and on some vehicles, the
passenger seat belt, is not buckled. See
Buckle To Drive 039 and
Vehicle Personalization 0100. Audio Volume Limit :
Allows the audio
volume limit to be turned on or off. Touch
Set Audio Volume Limit to choose the
maximum allowable audio volume level.
Set Audio Volume Limit : Allows a
maximum radio volume to be set. Use the
arrows to choose the maximum allowable
level for the audio volume.
Teen Driver Speed Limiter : Limits the
maximum speed of the vehicle. When the
speed limiter is turned on and the vehicle is
started with a Teen Driver key, the DIC
displays a message that the top speed is
limited.
On certain vehicles, when the Speed Limiter
is turned ON, the vehicle’s maximum
acceleration will be limited. The DIC will
display a message that the acceleration is
limited.
Teen Driver Speed Warning : Allows the
speed warning to be turned on or off. Touch
Set Teen Driver Speed Warning to set the
warning speed.
Set Teen Driver Speed Warning : Displays a
warning in the DIC when exceeding a
selectable speed. Choose the desired speed
warning level. The speed warning does not
limit the speed of the vehicle. SiriusXM Explicit Content Filter (if
equipped) :
Allows the SiriusXM Explicit
Content Filter to be turned ON or OFF.
When ON, the teen driver will not be able
to listen to SiriusXM stations that contain
explicit content, and the Explicit Content
Filter selection in the Audio Settings will be
unavailable for change.
When Teen Driver is Active:
.The radio will mute when the driver, or in
some vehicles, the front passenger seat
belt, is not buckled. The audio from any
device paired to the vehicle will also be
muted.
.An object placed on the front passenger
seat, such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic
device, could cause the passenger sensing
system to falsely sense an unbuckled
front passenger, mute the radio, and
prevent shifting from P (Park) if Buckle to
Drive is ON. If this happens, remove the
object from the seat. See Passenger
Sensing System 050.
.Some safety systems, such as Forward
Collision Alert, if equipped, cannot be
turned off.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
172 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 173
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 186
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 187
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 188
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . . 197
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 209
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 211 Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Recommended Fuel (1.5L Engine) . . . . . . . 218
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . 218
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 220
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 226

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
174 Driving and Operating
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.