Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 301
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
comes in contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle, blot
immediately and clean with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Cargo Cover and Convenience Net
If equipped, wash with warm water and
mild detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach.
Rinse with cold water, and then dry
completely.
Care of Seat Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing.
It may severely weaken the webbing. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection. Clean and(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
rinse seat belt webbing only with mild
soap and lukewarm water. Allow the
webbing to dry.
Floor Mats
{Warning
If a floor mat is the wrong size or is not
properly installed, it can interfere with
the pedals. Interference with the pedals
can cause unintended acceleration and/or
increased stopping distance which can
cause a crash and injury. Make sure the
floor mat does not interfere with the
pedals.
Use the following guidelines for proper floor
mat usage:
.The original equipment floor mats were
designed for your vehicle. If the floor
mats need replacing, it is recommended
that GM certified floor mats be
purchased. Non-GM floor mats may not
fit properly and may interfere with the
pedals. Always check that the floor mats
do not interfere with the pedals.
.Do not use a floor mat if the vehicle is
not equipped with a floor mat retainer on
the driver side floor.
.Use the floor mat with the correct side
up. Do not turn it over.
.Do not place anything on top of the
driver side floor mat.
.Use only a single floor mat on the
driver side.
.Do not place one floor mat on top of
another.
Removing and Replacing the Floor Mats
If equipped, pull up on the rear of the floor
mat to unlock each retainer and remove.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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306 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed. Check engine air filter life percentage and status.
Change engine air filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
If the vehicle is not equipped with the engine air filter life
system, replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system and Power Electronics
cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts. (8)@ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (9)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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308 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed. Check engine air filter life percentage and status.
Change engine air filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
If the vehicle is not equipped with the engine air filter life
system, replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid. (Except 1.5L engine.)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter. (1.5L
engine only.)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system and Power Electronics
cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts. (8)@ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (9)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Service and Maintenance 309
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever comes
first. More frequent passenger compartment
air filter replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic, poor air
quality, high dust levels, or environmental
allergens. Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if there is
reduced airflow, window fogging, or odors.
Your GM dealer can help determine when to
replace the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper attachment,
connection, routing, and condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 237.
(4) Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 0238.
(5) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed.
(6) Replace brake fluid every five years. See
Brake Fluid 0243. (7)
Or every 12 months, whichever comes
first. See Wiper Blade Replacement 0247.
(8) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
See Gas Strut(s) 0248.
(9) Replace air conditioning desiccant every
seven years.
Special Application Services
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only:
Lubricate chassis components every oil
change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody Maintenance"
in Exterior Care 0295.
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Your vehicle is an important investment and
caring for it properly may help to avoid
future costly repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional maintenance
services may be required.
It is recommended that your dealer perform
these services —their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best. Your
dealer can also perform a thorough assessment with a multi-point inspection to
recommend when your vehicle may need
attention.
The following list is intended to explain the
services and conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any additional
electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to start
the vehicle, maintain a battery with full
cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have the
diagnostic equipment to test the battery
and ensure that the connections and
cables are corrosion-free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they squeak
or show signs of cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians have access to
tools and equipment to inspect the belts
and recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
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316 Technical Data
Technical Data
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 316
Service Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front corner of
the instrument panel, on the driver side of
the vehicle. It can be seen through the
windshield from outside. The Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) also appears on
the Vehicle Certification label and certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is the
engine code. This code identifies the
vehicle's engine, specifications, and
replacement parts. See“Engine
Specifications” underCapacities and
Specifications 0317 for the vehicle's
engine code.
Service Parts Identification
There may be a large barcode on the
certification label on the center pillar that
you can scan for the following information:
.Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.Model designation
.Paint information
.Production options
If there is not a large barcode on this label,
then you will find this same information on
a label inside of the trunk.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Technical Data 319
Engine Drive Belt Routing
1.5L L4 Engine
2.0L L4 Engine
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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330 Customer Information
the event you suspect any security incident
impacting your data or the safe operation of
your vehicle, please stop operating your
vehicle and contact your dealer.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event data
recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR
is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record
such data as:
.How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
.Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
.How far (if at all) the driver was
depressing the accelerator and/or brake
pedal; and,
.How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur. Note
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no
data are recorded by the EDR under normal
driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location)
are recorded. However, other parties, such
as law enforcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally identifying
data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required, and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if they
have access to the vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access these data or share it
with others except: with the consent of the
vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased,
with the consent of the lessee; in response
to an official request by police or similar
government office; as part of GM's defense
of litigation through the discovery process;
or, as required by law. Data that GM collects
or receives may also be used for GM
research needs or may be made available to
others for research purposes, where a need
is shown and the data is not tied to a
specific vehicle or vehicle owner.
OnStar
If the vehicle is equipped with OnStar and
has an active service plan, additional data
may be collected and transmitted through
the OnStar system. This includes information
about the vehicle’s operation; collisions
involving the vehicle; the use of the vehicle
and its features, including infotainment; and
the location and approximate GPS speed of
the vehicle. Refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions and Privacy Statement on the
OnStar website.
See
OnStar Additional Information 0332.
Infotainment System
If the vehicle is equipped with a navigation
system as part of the infotainment system,
use of the system may result in the storage
of destinations, addresses, telephone
numbers, and other trip information. See the
infotainment section for information on
stored data and for deletion instructions.
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Index 341
Child Restraints (cont'd)Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Control Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . 193
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Controls
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Engine Temperature Warning Light . . . . . 91
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 166
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 325
Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Customer Information Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 327
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 320
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 Data Collection (cont'd)
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . 136
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . 94, 96
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 221
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177