2023 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
256 Vehicle Care
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used
on passenger cars and some light duty
trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation Pressure
:
Vehicle manufacturer's recommended
tire inflation pressure as shown on the
tire placard. See Tire Pressure0257 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0172.
Radial Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in
which the ply cords that extend to the
beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim
:A metal support for a tire and
upon which the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall
:The portion of a tire between
the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
:An alphanumeric code
assigned to a tire indicating the
maximum speed at which a tire can
operate. Traction
:The friction between the tire
and the road surface. The amount of
grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that comes
into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow bands,
sometimes called wear bars, that show
across the tread of a tire when only
1.6 mm (1/16 in) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires 0264.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards)
:A tire information system
that provides consumers with ratings
for a tire's traction, temperature, and
treadwear. Ratings are determined by
tire manufacturers using government
testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire.
See Uniform Tire Quality Grading 0266. Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The number
of designated seating positions
multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs) plus the
rated cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0172.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire
:
Load on an individual tire due to curb
weight, accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label permanently
attached to a vehicle showing the
vehicle's capacity weight and the
original equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure. See
“Tire and Loading Information Label”
under Vehicle Load Limits 0172.

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Vehicle Care 257
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air
pressure to operate effectively.
{Warning
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good. Underinflated
tires, or tires that do not have
enough air, can result in:
.Tire overloading and overheating,
which could lead to a blowout
.Premature or irregular wear
.Poor handling
.Reduced fuel economy for
internal combustion engine
vehicles
.Reduced range for electric vehicles
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Overinflated tires, or tires that have
too much air, can result in:
.Unusual wear
.Poor handling
.Rough ride
.Needless damage from road
hazards
The Tire and Loading Information label
on the vehicle indicates the original
equipment tires and the correct cold
tire inflation pressures. The
recommended pressure is the minimum
air pressure needed to support the
vehicle's maximum load carrying
capacity. See Vehicle Load Limits 0172. How the vehicle is loaded affects
vehicle handling and ride comfort.
Never load the vehicle with more
weight than it was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check the pressure of the tires once a
month or more. Do not forget the
spare, if the vehicle has one. The
compact spare cold tire pressure should
be at 420 kPa (60 psi). See
Compact
Spare Tire 0275.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gauge
to check tire pressure. Proper tire
inflation cannot be determined by
looking at the tire. Check the tire
inflation pressure when the tires are
cold, meaning the vehicle has not been
driven for at least three hours or no
more than 1.6 km (1 mi).

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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258 Vehicle Care
Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve stem. Press the tire gauge firmly
onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire inflation
pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment
is necessary. If the inflation pressure is
low, add air until the recommended
pressure is reached. If the inflation
pressure is high, press on the metal
stem in the center of the tire valve to
release air.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire
gauge.
Put the valve caps back on the valve
stems to keep out dirt and moisture.
Use only valve caps designed for the
vehicle by GM. TPMS sensors could be
damaged and would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation
{Warning
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher, puts additional
strain on tires. Sustained high-speed
driving causes excessive heat buildup and
can cause sudden tire failure. This could
cause a crash, and you or others could be
killed. Some high-speed rated tires require
inflation pressure adjustment for
high-speed operation. When speed limits
and road conditions allow the vehicle to
be driven at high speeds, make sure the
tires are rated for high-speed operation,
are in excellent condition, and are set to
the correct cold tire inflation pressure for
the vehicle load.Vehicles with tire sizes listed in the High
Speed Operation Inflation Pressures table
require inflation pressure adjustment when
driving the vehicle at speeds of 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher. Set the cold tire
inflation pressure to the corresponding value
in the table for the tire size on the vehicle.

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Vehicle Care 259
High Speed Operation Inflation Pressures
Tire Size Cold Inflation Pressure kPa (psi)
245/40R19 260 kPa (38 psi)
Return the tires to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure when high-speed
driving has ended. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 172 and
Tire Pressure 0257.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
uses radio and sensor technology to check
tire pressure levels. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces energy
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale
will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on

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260 Vehicle Care
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation 0260.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0308.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is
designed to warn the driver when a low tire
pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire and
wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in the tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire
pressure warning light located on the
instrument cluster. If the warning light
comes on, stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 172.
A message to check the pressure in a
specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC warning
message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inflated to the correct
inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For additional
information and details about the DIC
operation and displays see Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) 095 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 98.
The low tire pressure warning light may
come on in cool weather when the vehicle is
first started, and then turn off as the vehicle
is driven. This could be an early indicator
that the air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label,
attached to your vehicle, shows the size of
the original equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when they
are cold. See Vehicle Load Limits 0172, for an example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location. Also see
Tire Pressure
0257.
The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 263, Tire Rotation 0263, and Tires0251.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all the
same. A non-approved tire sealant could
damage the TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only the GM
approved tire sealant available through
your dealer or included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one
or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or
inoperable. When the system detects a
malfunction, the low tire pressure warning
light flashes for about one minute and then
stays on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message also displays.
The malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition cycle

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Vehicle Care 261
until the problem is corrected. Some of the
conditions that can cause these to come
on are:
.One of the road tires has been replaced
with the spare tire. The spare tire does
not have a TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and DIC message should go off after
the road tire is replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See“TPMS Sensor Matching
Process” later in this section.
.The TPMS sensor matching process was
not done or not completed successfully
after rotating the tires. The malfunction
light and the DIC message should go off
after successfully completing the sensor
matching process. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The malfunction light and the
DIC message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer for service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do not match
the original equipment tires or wheels.
Tires and wheels other than those recommended could prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. See
Buying
New Tires 0265.
.Operating electronic devices or being near
facilities using radio wave frequencies
similar to the TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning properly it
cannot detect or signal a low tire pressure
condition. See your dealer for service if the
TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
come on and stay on.
Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)
This feature provides visual and audible
alerts outside the vehicle to help when
inflating an underinflated tire to the
recommended cold tire pressure.
When the low tire pressure warning light
comes on: 1. Park the vehicle in a safe, level place.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
4. Add air to the tire that is underinflated. The turn signal lamp will flash. When the recommended pressure is
reached, the horn sounds once and the
turn signal lamp will stop flashing and
briefly turn solid.
Repeat these steps for all underinflated tires
that have illuminated the low tire pressure
warning light.
{Warning
Overinflating a tire could cause the tire
to rupture and you or others could be
injured. Do not exceed the maximum
pressure listed on the tire sidewall. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling 0252 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0172.
If the tire is overinflated by more than
35 kPa (5 psi), the horn will sound multiple
times and the turn signal lamp will continue
to flash for several seconds after filling
stops. To release and correct the pressure,
while the turn signal lamp is still flashing,
briefly press the center of the valve stem.
When the recommended pressure is reached,
the horn sounds once.

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262 Vehicle Care
If the turn signal lamp does not flash within
15 seconds after starting to inflate the tire,
the tire fill alert has not been activated or is
not working.
If the hazard warning flashers are on, the
tire fill alert visual feedback will not work
properly.
The TPMS will not activate the tire fill alert
properly under the following conditions:
.There is interference from an external
device or transmitter.
.The air pressure from the inflation device
is not sufficient to inflate the tire.
.There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
.There is a malfunction in the horn or turn
signal lamps.
.The identification code of the TPMS
sensor is not registered to the system.
.The battery of the TPMS sensor is low.
If the tire fill alert does not operate due to
TPMS interference, move the vehicle about
1 m (3 ft) back or forward and try again.
If the tire fill alert feature is not working,
use a tire pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification code
needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel
position after rotating the vehicle’s tires or
replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors.
The TPMS sensor matching process should
also be performed after replacing a spare
tire with a road tire containing the TPMS
sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next ignition
cycle. The sensors are matched to the
tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn
tool, in the following order: driver side front
tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side
rear tire, and driver side rear. See your
dealer for service or to purchase a relearn
tool. A TPMS relearn tool can also be
purchased. See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor
Activation Tool at
www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or call
1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match the first
tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall
to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it
takes longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted. The TPMS sensor matching process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Place the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions 0175.
3. Make sure the Tire Pressure info page option is turned on. The info pages on
the DIC can be turned on and off
through the Options menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0 95 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 98.
4. Use the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel to scroll to the Tire
Pressure screen under the DIC info page.
5. Press and hold
Vin the center of the
DIC controls.
The horn sounds twice to signal the
receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on
the DIC screen.
6. Start with the driver side front tire.
7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press
the button to activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the sensor
identification code has been matched to
this tire and wheel position.

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Vehicle Care 263
8. Proceed to the passenger side front tire,and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
9. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
10. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7. The horn
sounds two times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been matched to
the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message on the DIC display screen
goes off.
11. Turn the vehicle off.
12. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires, including
the spare tire, if the vehicle has one, be
inspected for signs of wear or damage
at least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or more
places around the tire can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric showing
through the tire's rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut,
or snagged deep enough to show
cord or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that cannot be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated according to the
interval specified in the Maintenance
Schedule. See Maintenance Schedule
0 290.
Tires are rotated to achieve a more
uniform wear for all tires. The first
rotation is the most important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed, rotate
the tires as soon as possible, check for
proper tire inflation pressure, and check
for damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel alignment. See
When It Is Time for New Tires
0 264 and
Wheel Replacement 0268.
Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires.
Do not include the compact spare tire
in the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to the
recommended inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See Tire
Pressure 0257 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0172.