Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
166 Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 037.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
222 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0308.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 53.
If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle Start 013. Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See
Maintenance Records
0 296.
Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/start,
turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact. Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the lower left side
of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary release lever under the
front center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever to the right
to release.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Vehicle Care 227
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination offactors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life
has been diminished, it indicates that an oil
change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may
indicate that an oil change is not necessary
for up to a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and,
at this time, the system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on the right side
of the steering wheel, display
REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 095 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 98. When remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will
appear on the display.
2. Press
Von the DIC controls and hold
down for a few seconds to clear the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message and
reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life display
accidentally at any time other than after
the oil is changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
The system is reset when the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message is off and the
REMAINING OIL LIFE message is displayed.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not been
reset. Repeat the procedure.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Customer Information 301
We encourage you to call the toll-free
number in order to give your inquiry
prompt attention. Have the following
information available to give the Customer
Assistance representative:
.Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is
available from the vehicle registration or
title, or the plate at the top left of the
instrument panel and visible through the
windshield.
.Dealership name and location.
.Vehicle delivery date and present mileage.
When contacting Chevrolet, remember that
your concern will likely be resolved at a
dealer's facility. That is why we suggest
following Step One first.
STEP THREE —U.S. Owners : Both General
Motors and your dealer are committed to
making sure you are completely satisfied
with your new vehicle. However, if you
continue to remain unsatisfied after
following the procedure outlined in
Steps One and Two, you can file with the
Better Business Bureau (BBB) AUTO LINE
Program to enforce your rights. The BBB AUTO LINE Program is an
out-of-court program administered by BBB
National Programs, Inc. to settle automotive
disputes regarding vehicle repairs or the
interpretation of the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Although you may be required to
resort to this informal dispute resolution
program prior to filing a court action, use of
the program is free of charge and your case
will generally be heard within 40 days.
If you do not agree with the decision given
in your case, you may reject it and proceed
with any other venue for relief available
to you.
You may contact the BBB AUTO LINE
Program using the toll-free telephone
number or write them at the following
address:
BBB AUTO LINE a Division of
BBB National Programs, Inc.
1676 International Drive
Suite 550
McLean, VA 22102
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
www.bbbautoline.org
This program is available in all 50 states and
the District of Columbia. Eligibility is limited
by vehicle age, mileage, and other factors.
General Motors reserves the right to change
eligibility limitations and/or discontinue its
participation in this program.
STEP THREE
—Canadian Owners : In the
event that you do not feel your concerns
have been addressed after following the
procedure outlined in Steps One and Two,
General Motors of Canada Company wants
you to be aware of its participation in a
no-charge Mediation/Arbitration Program.
General Motors of Canada Company has
committed to binding arbitration of owner
disputes involving factory-related vehicle
service claims. The program provides for the
review of the facts involved by an impartial
third party arbiter, and may include an
informal hearing before the arbiter. The
program is designed so that the entire
dispute settlement process, from the time
you file your complaint to the final decision,
should be completed in about 70 days. We
believe our impartial program offers
advantages over courts in most jurisdictions
because it is informal, quick, and free of
charge.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
306 Customer Information
such as fuel, rental vehicle insurance, taxes,
levies, usage fees, excessive mileage,
or rental usage beyond the completion of
the repair are also your responsibility.
It may not be possible to provide a like
vehicle as a courtesy rental.
Additional Program Information
All program options, such as shuttle service,
may not be available at every dealer.
Contact your dealer for specific availability.
General Motors reserves the right to
unilaterally modify, change, or discontinue
Courtesy Transportation at any time and to
resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions
described herein at its sole discretion.
Collision Damage Repair
If the vehicle is involved in a collision and it
is damaged, have the damage repaired by a
qualified technician using the proper
equipment and quality replacement parts.
Poorly performed collision repairs diminish
the vehicle resale value, and safety
performance can be compromised in
subsequent collisions.
Collision Parts
Genuine GM Collision parts are new parts
made with the same materials and
construction methods as the parts with
which the vehicle was originally built.
Genuine GM Collision parts are the best
choice to ensure that the vehicle's designed
appearance, durability, and safety are
preserved. The use of Genuine GM parts can
help maintain the GM New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Recycled original equipment parts may also
be used for repair. These parts are typically
removed from vehicles that were total losses
in prior crashes. In most cases, the parts
being recycled are from undamaged sections
of the vehicle. A recycled original equipment
GM part may be an acceptable choice to
maintain the vehicle's originally designed
appearance and safety performance;
however, the history of these parts is not
known. Such parts are not covered by the
GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any
related failures are not covered by that
warranty.
Aftermarket collision parts are also available.
These are made by companies other than
GM and may not have been tested for the
vehicle. As a result, these parts may fitpoorly, exhibit premature durability/
corrosion problems, and may not perform
properly in subsequent collisions.
Aftermarket parts are not covered by the
GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any
vehicle failure related to such parts is not
covered by that warranty.
Repair Facility
GM also recommends that you choose a
collision repair facility that meets your
needs before you ever need collision repairs.
Your dealer may have a collision repair
center with GM-trained technicians and
state-of-the-art equipment, or be able to
recommend a collision repair center that has
GM-trained technicians and comparable
equipment.
Insuring the Vehicle
Protect your investment in the GM vehicle
with comprehensive and collision insurance
coverage. There are significant differences in
the quality of coverage afforded by various
insurance policy terms. Many insurance
policies provide reduced protection to the
GM vehicle by limiting compensation for
damage repairs through the use of
aftermarket collision parts. Some insurance
companies will not specify aftermarket