2023 CHEVROLET MALIBU overheating

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Instruments and Controls 85
English Uplevel
This gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gauge pointer moves toward the
warning area at the high end of the gauge,
the engine is too hot.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on when the engine is too hot.
See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light (Uplevel Cluster Only) 092.
This reading indicates the same thing as the
warning light. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the vehicle has
been operating under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. See
Engine Overheating 0232.
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel
Cluster Only)
When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates
the battery voltage.
When the engine is running, this gauge
shows the condition of the charging system.
The gauge can transition from a higher to
lower or a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating outside
the normal operating range, the charging
system light comes on. See Charging System
Light 087. 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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
92 Instruments and Controls
If TCS is off, wheel slip during acceleration is
not limited unless necessary to help protect
the driveline from damage. Adjust driving
accordingly.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly when the vehicle
is turned on to show that the light is
working. If it does not come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
turned off. If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is also off. To
turn ESC off and on, seeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0186.
If ESC and TCS are off, the systems do not
assist in controlling the vehicle. Adjust
driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the vehicle
is turned on to show that the light is
working. If it does not come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the light is on and not flashing, the TCS
and potentially the StabiliTrak/ESC system
are not fully operational and may not assist
in maintaining control. Adjust driving
accordingly. If the condition persists, see
your dealer as soon as possible. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may
display.
The light flashes when the TCS and/or the
StabiliTrak/ESC system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0186.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light (Uplevel
Cluster Only)
This light comes on briefly while starting
the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature warning
light indicates that the vehicle has
overheated. Driving with this light on can
damage the engine and it may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating 0232.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on when the engine has
overheated.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Instruments and Controls 93
If this happens, pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating 0232.
Tire Pressure Light
If equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly
when the vehicle is started. It provides
information about tire pressures and
the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires
are significantly underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire
pressure message may also display. Stop as
soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire Pressure
0 257. When the Light Flashes First and Then Is On
Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute and
then stays on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. If the problem is not corrected,
the light will come on every time the
vehicle is started. See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0260.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Driving the vehicle with low engine oil
pressure can damage the engine and the
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If the engine oil pressure light comes on
while driving:
1. Stop in a safe location and turn off the engine.
2. Check the oil level. See Engine Oil
0 225.
3. Add oil if the oil level is below the normal operating range.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
4. Restart the vehicle. If the engine oilpressure light stays on for more
than 10 seconds, turn the vehicle
back off. Do not restart the vehicle.
See your dealer for service.
This light should come on briefly when the
engine starts. When the engine is off and
the vehicle is on, the light should remain
illuminated. If it does not come on under
either condition, contact your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on when the
engine is running, it may not have adequate
oil pressure. The oil level may be low or
there may be some other oil system
problem. Turn the engine off when it is safe
to do so and contact your dealer.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
170 Driving and Operating
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0251.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, and
cooling system.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0186.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0184.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Driving and Operating 215
equipment can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer hitch parts
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment0217. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check that the trailer
brakes work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are secure
and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are working.
Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of the
vehicle and trailer will not accelerate as
quickly and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before returning
to the lane. Pass on level roadways. Avoid
passing on hills.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle. Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
Shift the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine
Overheating 0232.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
216 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park). Turn the wheels into the
curb if facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the desired gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0290. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0232.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Before towing a trailer, always separately
weigh:
.The fully loaded vehicle and trailer
combination.
.The trailer.
.The trailer tongue.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
220 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 222
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 228
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 228
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 239
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LT and Premier) . . . . . 241
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 242
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 245
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 249
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 255
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 260
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 264
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 266
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 266
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 268
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 275
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . 278
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
230 Vehicle Care
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine Shown
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant mixture. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants0294
and
Maintenance Schedule 0290.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0232.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.