
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Seats and Restraints 53
A thick layer of additional material, such as
a blanket or cushion, or aftermarket
equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters,
and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We
recommend that you not use seat covers or
other aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific vehicle.
SeeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 053 for more
information about modifications that can
affect how the system operates.
The ON indicator may be lit if an object,
such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not desired
remove the object from the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the passenger seat
or between the passenger seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag
system in several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the vehicle and
the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0327.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the vehicle is
turned off and the 12‐volt battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still inflate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to
do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the vehicle's
frame, bumper system, height, front end,
or side sheet metal may keep the airbag
system from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system can also
be affected by changing, including
improperly repairing or replacing, any parts
of the following:
.Airbag system, including airbag modules,
front or side impact sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, or airbag wiring
.Front seats, including stitching, seams or
zippers
.Seat belts
.Steering wheel, instrument panel,
overhead console, ceiling trim, or pillar
garnish trim
.Inner door seals, including speakers
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
modules and sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, and airbag wiring along with the
proper replacement procedures.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
78 Instruments and Controls
supply and the indicator light turns off. To
reset the circuit, unplug the item and plug it
back in or turn the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) off and then back on. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)0186. The
power restarts when equipment using 150
watts or less is plugged into the outlet and
a system fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for the
following, and may not work properly if
they are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peak wattage,
such as compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools
.Other equipment requiring an extremely
stable power supply, such as
microcomputer-controlled electric blankets
and touch sensor lamps
.Medical equipment
See High Voltage Devices and Wiring 0253.
Wireless Charging
If equipped, the vehicle has a wireless
charging pocket outside the armrest of the
center console. The system operates at 145
kHz and wirelessly charges one Qi
compatible smartphone. The power output
of the system is capable of charging at a rate up to 3 amp (15W), as requested by the
compatible smartphone. See
Radio
Frequency Statement 0328.
{Warning
Wireless charging can affect the
operation of an implanted pacemaker or
other medical devices. If you have one, it
is recommended to consult with your
doctor before using the wireless charging
system.
The vehicle must be on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must be
active. The wireless charging feature may
not correctly indicate charging when the
vehicle is in RAP or during Bluetooth phone
calls. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 186.
The operating temperature is −20 °C (−4 °F)
to 60 °C (140 °F) for the charging system
and 0 °C (32 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) for the
smartphone.
{Warning
Remove all objects from the charging
pocket before charging your compatible
smartphone. Objects, such as coins, keys,
rings, paper clips, or cards, between the
smartphone and the charger will become
very hot. On the rare occasion that the
charging system does not detect an
object, and the object gets wedged
between the smartphone and the
charger, remove the smartphone and
allow the object to cool before removing
it from the charging pocket, to prevent
burns.
To charge a compatible smartphone:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 85
Readings outside the normal operating
range can also occur when a large number
of electrical accessories are operating in the
vehicle and the engine is left idling for an
extended period. This condition is normal
since the charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle. As engine
speeds are increased, this condition should
correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum
power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a short
time with the readings outside the normal
operating range. If the vehicle must be
driven, turn off all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner, and unplug all
chargers and accessories.
Readings outside the normal operating
range indicate a possible problem in the
electrical system. Have the vehicle serviced
as soon as possible.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten their seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
light nor the chime comes on.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. SeePassenger
Sensing System 050.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
passengers to fasten their seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle continues several times if
the front passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the front passenger seat belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger seat belt reminder light
and chime may come on if an object is put
on the seat such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic
device. To turn off the reminder light and/or
chime, remove the object from the seat or
buckle the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an electrical
problem with the airbag system. The system
check includes the airbag sensor(s),
passenger sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System 045.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
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-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
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
Index 343
FusesEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 254
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 258
G
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 80
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . 135
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 106
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 250
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . 34
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 166
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . 253
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 39
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 166
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Indicator
Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 56
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 110
J
Jack
Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Index 349
Vehicle (cont'd)Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Vehicle Care
Storing the Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . 329
Vehicle Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Warning (cont'd)
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Windshield
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Wiring, High Voltage Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 253