Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
2 Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about the
vehicle, use the Index in the back of the
manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is
in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle labels
and in this manual describe hazards and
what to do to avoid or reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a high
level of risk which will result in serious
injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that could
result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that could
result in property or vehicle damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a safety
symbol which means“Do not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that
use symbols instead of text. Symbols are
shown along with the text describing the
operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner’s manual has
additional instructions or information.
*: Shown when the service manual has
additional instructions or information.
0: Shown when there is more information
on another page — “see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may
be found on the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this manual for
information.
u:
Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock Location
+:Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child Restraints
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 77
Power Outlets
Power Outlet 12-Volt Direct Current
The accessory power outlets can be used to
plug in electrical equipment, such as a cell
phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power outlets:
.One on the center stack below the
climate control system
.One on the rear of the center console
The outlet is powered when the ignition is
on or in ACC/ACCESSORY, or until the driver
door is opened within 10 minutes of turning
off the vehicle. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0186.
Open the protective cover to use the
accessory power outlet.
Certain electrical accessories may not be
compatible with the accessory power outlets
and could overload vehicle or adapter fuses.
If there is a problem, see your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure
to follow the installation instructions
included with the equipment. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0226.
Caution
Hanging heavy equipment from the
power outlet can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty. The
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only, such as cell phone
charge cords.
Always unplug electrical equipment when
not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 amps rating.
Power Outlet 110/120-Volt Alternating
Current
If equipped, this power outlet can be used
to plug in electrical equipment that uses a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is on the rear of the
center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turns on to
show it is in use. The light comes on when
the ignition is on, equipment requiring less
than 150 watts is plugged into the outlet,
and no system fault is detected.
The indicator light does not come on if the
ignition is off, if no equipment is plugged
into the outlet, or if the equipment is
plugged in, but not fully seated in the
outlet.
If equipment is connected using more than
150 watts or a system fault is detected, the
equipment may operate briefly then turn
off. A protection circuit shuts off the power
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Lighting 107
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to
signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold
it there until the lane change is completed.
If the lever is briefly pressed and released,
the turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane-change signal can be
turned off manually by moving the lever
back to its original position.
If after signaling a turn or lane change, the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out.Replace any burned out bulbs. If a bulb is
not burned out, check the fuse. See
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers 0253.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature adjusts the brightness of all
illuminated controls. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the exterior
lamp control.
Push the knob in all the way until it extends
out and then turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim the
lights. Push the knob back in when finished.
The knob is functional at night, or when the
headlamps or parking lamps are ON.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps come on when any door
is opened unless the dome lamp override is
activated. To deactivate the dome lamp
override, press
jOFF and the indicator
light on the button will turn off.
Dome Lamps
Dome Lamp Controls
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Infotainment System 161
POSSESSION OF THIS DATA; OR FOR ANY
LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE, CONTRACTS OR
SAVINGS, OR ANY OTHER DIRECT, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS DATA, ANY DEFECT IN
THIS DATA, OR THE BREACH OF THESE
TERMS OR CONDITIONS, WHETHER IN AN
ACTION IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR BASED
ON A WARRANTY, EVEN IF HERE OR ITS
LICENSORS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some
States, Territories, and Countries do not
allow certain liability exclusions or damages
limitations, so to that extent the above may
not apply to you.
Export Control
You agree not to export from anywhere any
part of the Data provided to you or any
direct product thereof except in compliance
with, and with all licenses and approvals
required under, applicable export laws, rules
and regulations. Entire Agreement: These
terms and conditions constitute the entire
agreement between HERE (and its licensors,
including their licensors and suppliers) and
you pertaining to the subject matter hereof,
and supersedes in their entirety any and allwritten or oral agreements previously
existing between us with respect to such
subject matter.
Governing Law
The above terms and conditions shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Illinois,
without giving effect to (i) its conflict of
laws provisions, or (ii) the United Nations
Convention for Contracts for the
International Sale of Goods, which is
explicitly excluded. You agree to submit to
the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois for
any and all disputes, claims, and actions
arising from or in connection with the Data
provided to you hereunder.
Government End Users
If the Data is being acquired by or on behalf
of the United States government or any
other entity seeking or applying rights
similar to those customarily claimed by the
United States government, this Data is a
“commercial item”
as that term is defined at
48 C.F.R. (“FAR”) 2.101, is licensed in
accordance with this End User License
Agreement, and each copy of Data delivered
or otherwise furnished shall be marked and
embedded as appropriate with the following
“Notice of Use,” and be treated in
accordance with such Notice:
NOTICE OF USE
CONTRACTOR (MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER)
NAME:
HERE North America, LLC
CONTRACTOR (MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER)
ADDRESS:
425 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
60606.
This Data is a commercial item as defined in
FAR 2.101 and is subject to the End User
License Agreement under which this Data
was provided.
© 2014 HERE North America, LLC. All rights
reserved.
If the Contracting Officer, federal
government agency, or any federal official
refuses to use the legend provided herein,
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Vehicle Care 227
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 228
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 229
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 250
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 250
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LT and Premier) . . . . . 251
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 253
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 254
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 263
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 269
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 273
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 276
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 279
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 290
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Vehicle Care 253
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring
{Warning
Exposure to high voltage can cause shock,
burns, and even death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can only be
serviced by technicians with special
training.
High voltage components are identified
by labels. Do not remove, open, take
apart, or modify these components. High
voltage cable or wiring has orange
covering or labels. Do not probe, tamper
with, cut, or modify high voltage cable or
wiring.
Electrical System Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to
protect against an electrical system
overload.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect power
devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.When a circuit breaker is used to protect a
circuit and the electrical current load is too
heavy, the circuit breaker will open to
protect the circuit until the electrical current
returns to normal or the problem is fixed.
Once the electrical current returns to normal
or the problem is fixed the circuit breaker
will close.
If there is a problem on the road and a fuse
needs to be replaced, the same amperage
fuse can be borrowed. Choose some feature
of the vehicle that is not needed and replace
it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause the lamps
to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. Have the headlamp wiring
checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the windshield wipers will stop
until the motor cools and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected from
electrical overload, overload due to heavy
snow or ice may cause wiper linkage
damage. Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an electrical
problem and not snow or ice, be sure to get
it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit breakers.
This greatly reduces the chance of damage
caused by electrical problems.
{Danger
Fuses and circuit breakers are marked
with their ampere rating. Do not exceed
the specified amperage rating when
replacing fuses and circuit breakers. Use
of an oversized fuse or circuit breaker can
result in a vehicle fire. You and others
could be seriously injured or killed.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
254 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Installation or use of fuses that do not
meet GM’s original fuse specifications is
dangerous. The fuses could fail, and result
in a fire. You or others could be injured
or killed, and the vehicle could be
damaged.
See Accessories and Modifications 0229 and
General Information 0228.
To check a fuse, look at the silver-colored
band inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating. Fuses of the same amperage can be
temporarily borrowed from another fuse
location, if a fuse goes out. Replace the fuse
as soon as possible.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is on
the driver side of the engine compartment.
There is a fuse puller in the engine
compartment fuse block. It can be used to
easily remove fuses from the fuse block.
Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may damage
it. Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
256 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped with all of
the fuses, relays, and features shown.Fuses Usage
1 –
2 –
3 Antilock brake system pump/Electric brake
booster
5 –
6 Rear closure 7 –
8 Memory seat module
9 –
10 –
11 DC DC converter 1
12 Rear window defogger
13 Heated mirrors
14 –
15 Passive entry/Passive start
16 Front wiper 17 Passenger power seat Fuses
Usage
18 Antilock brake system valve
19 Driver power seat 21 Sunroof
22 Parking lamp
23 Automatic headlamp leveling/Adaptive forward
lighting
24 –
26 Transmission control module/Ignition
27 Instrument panel/Body/ Ignition
28 –
29 Rear vision camera/ Ventilated seats
30 Malfunction indicator lamp/Ignition
32 Canister vent solenoid/Evap leak check module
33 Front heated seat
34 – Fuses
Usage
35 Body control module 6/ Body control module 7
36 Fuel module
38 –
39 –
40 Steering column lock 41 –
43 Heated steering wheel
44 Headlamp leveling 45 –
46 Engine control module/ Ignition
47 –
48 –
49 DC DC converter 2 50 –
51 –
52 –
53 –
54 –