
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
88 Instruments and Controls
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is in Service Mode. SeeIgnition
Positions 0175.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the
system before any problem is noticeable.
Being aware of the light and seeking service
promptly when it comes on may prevent
damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually with
this light on, the emission control system
may not work as well, the fuel economy
may be lower, and the vehicle may not
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
run smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system, or the
use of replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This could
lead to costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also affect
the vehicle’s ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 0221.
If the light is flashing : A malfunction has
been detected that could damage the
emission control system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
To help prevent damage, reduce vehicle
speed and avoid hard accelerations and
uphill grades. If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible. If the light continues to flash, find a safe
place to park. Turn the vehicle off and wait
at least 10 seconds before restarting the
engine. If the light is still flashing, follow
the previous guidelines and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady :
A malfunction has
been detected. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
.If fuel has been added to the vehicle
using the capless fuel funnel adapter,
make sure that it has been removed. See
“Filling the Tank with a Portable Gas Can”
under Filling the Tank 0211. The
diagnostic system can detect if the
adapter has been left installed in the
vehicle, allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the adapter removed may turn off the
light.
.Poor fuel quality can cause inefficient
engine operation and poor driveability,
which may go away once the engine is
warmed up. If this occurs, change the fuel
brand. It may require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light
off. See Recommended Fuel 0210.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Driving and Operating 211
driveability. If heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 87 or greater, the
engine needs service.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or FlexFuel.
Do not use gasoline with ethanol levels
greater than 15% by volume.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
.For vehicles that are not FlexFuel, fuel
labeled greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.
.Fuel with any amount of methanol,
methylal, ferrocene, and aniline. These
fuels can corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and rubber
parts.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel containing metals such as
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system and
spark plugs.
.Fuel with a posted octane rating of
less than the recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel economy and
performance, and may decrease the
life of the emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post fuel
octane ratings in anti-knock index (AKI). For
fuel not to use in a foreign country, see
Prohibited Fuels0211.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your vehicle.
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil
change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus −Gasoline will help keep your vehicle’s
engine fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which
side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. See
Fuel Gauge
083.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn violently
and can cause injury or death.
Follow these guidelines to help avoid
injuries to you and others:
.Read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island.
.Turn off the engine when refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Avoid using electronic devices while
refueling.
.Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
OnStar 313
Or
.Give OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation voice
commands.
.Obtain and customize the Wi-Fi hotspot
name or SSID and password, if equipped.
Press
Qto connect to an Advisor to:
.Verify account information or update
contact information.
.Get driving directions.
.Receive a Diagnostic check of the vehicle's
key operating systems.
.Receive Roadside Assistance.
.Manage Wi-Fi Settings, if equipped.
Press
>to get a priority connection to an
OnStar Advisor available 24/7 to:
.Get help for an emergency.
.Be a Good Samaritan or respond to an
AMBER Alert.
.Get assistance in severe weather or other
crisis situations and find evacuation
routes.
OnStar Services
Emergency
Emergency Services require an active safety
and security plan. With Automatic Crash
Response, built-in sensors can automatically
alert a specially trained OnStar Advisor who
is immediately connected in to the vehicle
to help.
Press
>for a priority connection to an
OnStar Advisor who can contact emergency
service providers, direct them to your exact
location, and relay important information.
With OnStar Crisis Assist, specially trained
Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, to provide a central point of
contact, assistance, and information during a
crisis.
With Roadside Assistance, Advisors can
locate a nearby service provider to help with
a flat tire, a battery jump, or an empty
gas tank.
Security
If equipped, OnStar provides these services:
.With Stolen Vehicle Assistance, OnStar
Advisors can use GPS to pinpoint the
vehicle and help authorities quickly
recover it.
.With Remote Ignition Block, if equipped,
OnStar can block the vehicle from being
restarted.
.With Stolen Vehicle Slowdown,
if equipped, OnStar can work with law
enforcement to gradually slow the
vehicle down.
Theft Alarm Notification
If equipped, if the doors are locked and the
vehicle alarm sounds, a notification by text,
e-mail, or phone call will be sent. If the
vehicle is stolen, an OnStar Advisor can work
with authorities to recover the vehicle.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
324 Index
FuelAdditives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 213
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 245
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 249
G
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 80 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . 131
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 104
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 239
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Heated
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 159
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . 242
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 39
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 159
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Indicator
Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Indicators Warning Lights and Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 56