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Black plate (1,1)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011

Vehicle Care

10-1

Vehicle Care

General Information

General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition

65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

California Perchlorate

Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3

Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Vehicle Checks

Doing Your Own

Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4

Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6

Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission

Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overheated Engine

Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21

Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-27
Automatic Transmission Shift

Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27

Ignition Transmission Lock

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28

Park Brake and P (Park)

Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-28

Wiper Blade

Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29

Headlamp Aiming

Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-29

Bulb Replacement

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and

Stoplamps (LS and LT) . . . . 10-30

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and

Stoplamps (LTZ) . . . . . . . . . . 10-32

Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-34
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-34

Electrical System

Electrical System

Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35

Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Engine Compartment Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

Rear Compartment Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Wheels and Tires

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Terminology and

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48

Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Tire Pressure for High-Speed

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52

Tire Pressure Monitor

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53

Tire Pressure Monitor

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54

Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57

Summary of Contents for 2011 Malibu

Page 1: ...ls 5 2 Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators 5 8 Information Displays 5 22 Vehicle Messages 5 25 Vehicle Personalization 5 30 Lighting 6 1 Exterior Lighting 6 1 Interior Lighting 6 5 Lighting Features 6 5 Infotainment System 7 1 Introduction 7 1 Radio 7 7 Audio Players 7 15 Phone 7 25 Climate Controls 8 1 Climate Control Systems 8 1 Air Vents 8 9 Driving and Operating 9 1 Driving Information 9 2 St...

Page 2: ...eneral Information 11 1 Scheduled Maintenance 11 2 Recommended Fluids Lubricants and Parts 11 6 Maintenance Records 11 8 Technical Data 12 1 Vehicle Identification 12 1 Vehicle Data 12 2 Customer Information 13 1 Customer Information 13 1 Reporting Safety Defects 13 16 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy 13 17 Index i 1 ...

Page 3: ...lease refer to the purchase documentation relating to your specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found on your vehicle For vehicles first sold in Canada substitute the name General Motors of Canada Limited for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference Canadian Vehicle Owners Propriétaires Canadiens A French language c...

Page 4: ...injury or death WARNING These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people Notice This means there is something that could result in property or vehicle damage This would not be covered by the vehicle s warranty A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means Do Not Do not do this or Do not let this happen Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbol...

Page 5: ... Light Air Conditioning Antilock Brake System ABS Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar Brake System Warning Light Charging System I Cruise Control B Engine Coolant Temperature O Exterior Lamps Fog Lamps Fuel Gauge Fuses 3 Headlamp High Low Beam Changer j LATCH System Child Restraints Malfunction Indicator Lamp Oil Pressure Power Remote Vehicle Start Safety Belt Reminders 7 Tire Pressure Monitor...

Page 6: ...Black plate 6 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 vi Introduction 2 NOTES ...

Page 7: ...l Adjustment 1 11 Interior Lighting 1 11 Exterior Lighting 1 12 Windshield Wiper Washer 1 12 Climate Controls 1 13 Transmission 1 15 Vehicle Features Radio s 1 15 Satellite Radio 1 17 Portable Audio Devices Auxiliary Input or USB Port 1 17 Bluetooth 1 17 Steering Wheel Controls 1 18 Cruise Control 1 18 Driver Information Center DIC 1 19 Power Outlets 1 19 Performance and Maintenance Traction Contr...

Page 8: ...Black plate 2 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 1 2 In Brief Instrument Panel ...

Page 9: ...9 32 Driver Information Center DIC Buttons See Driver Information Center DIC on page 5 22 K Data Link Connector DLC Out of View See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5 15 L Steering Wheel Adjustment on page 5 2 M Horn on page 5 3 N Steering Wheel Controls on page 5 2 If Equipped O Ignition Positions on page 9 16 P Climate Control Systems on page 8 1 If Equipped Automatic Climate Control System on...

Page 10: ... seconds to unlock all remaining doors Press Q to lock all doors Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized See Vehicle Personalization on page 5 30 for additional information Press and hold V for approximately one second to open the trunk Press L and release to locate the vehicle Press L and hold for more than two seconds to sound the panic alarm Press L again to cancel the panic alarm See Keys...

Page 11: ...ks Manual Locks From inside the vehicle slide the door lock knob to unlock or lock a door Power Door Locks On vehicles with power door locks the switches are on the front doors Press to unlock the doors Q Press to lock the doors For more information see Door Locks on page 2 7 Power Door Locks on page 2 7 Trunk Release In addition to the trunk release button on the RKE transmitter there is a remote...

Page 12: ... move the seat back and forth to make sure it is locked in place Height Adjustment If available press and hold the top or bottom of the switch to raise or lower the seat Release the switch when the desired height is reached See Seat Adjustment on page 3 3 Seatback Adjustment To recline the seatback 1 Lift the lever 2 Move the seatback to the desired position and then release the lever to lock the ...

Page 13: ... Position To adjust a power seat if available Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward Raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the horizontal control up or down Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3 4 Seatback Adjustment To adjust a power seatbac...

Page 14: ...lding a seatback make sure the front seat is not reclined If it is the rear seatback will not fold down all the way To lower the rear seatback pull up on the seatback strap while folding the seatback down This allows access to the trunk To raise the rear seatback pull the seatback up and make sure it latches Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked in position Make sure that the safet...

Page 15: ...s necessary while keeping the seat and the head restraint height in the proper position For more information see Head Restraints on page 3 2 and Seat Adjustment on page 3 3 Safety Belts Refer to the following sections for important information on how to use safety belts properly Safety Belts on page 3 9 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 3 13 Lap Shoulder Belt on page 3 18 Lower Anchors and...

Page 16: ...oose either the driver side or passenger side mirror 2 Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to move the mirror to the desired direction Keep the selector switch in the center position when not adjusting either outside mirror See Power Mirrors on page 2 14 Interior Mirror Vehicles with an automatic dimming rearview mirror will automatically reduce the glare from the headlamps of ...

Page 17: ...rn the dome lamps on manually turn the instrument panel brightness knob located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering column clockwise to the farthest position The dome lamps will remain on whether a door is opened or closed Reading Lamps The front reading lamps are located in the front overhead console The rear reading lamps are near the dome lamp overhead near the rear passenger se...

Page 18: ...amp Controls on page 6 1 Delayed Headlamps on page 6 3 Daytime Running Lamps DRL on page 6 2 Automatic Headlamp System on page 6 3 Fog Lamps on page 6 4 Windshield Wiper Washer The windshield wiper lever is located on the right side of the steering column 9 Turns the wipers off For intermittent or speed sensitive operation While in this position turn the x band up or down to vary frequency The amo...

Page 19: ...ner Manual 2011 In Brief 1 13 Climate Controls A Fan Control B Air Recirculation C Temperature Control D Outside Air E Air Delivery Mode Control F Air Conditioning G Rear Window Defogger See Climate Control Systems on page 8 1 If Equipped ...

Page 20: ...Brief Automatic Climate Control System If Equipped A Fan Control B Air Conditioning C Air Recirculation D Outside Air E Rear Window Defogger F Air Delivery Mode Control G Display H Temperature Control See Automatic Climate Control System on page 8 5 If Equipped ...

Page 21: ...hift lever from D Drive rearward to M Manual 2 Press the plus end of the button on the side of the shifter to upshift or push the minus end of the button to downshift See Manual Mode on page 9 25 Vehicle Features Radio s Radio with CD MP3 and USB Port shown O Press to turn the system on and off Turn to increase or decrease the volume BAND Press to choose between FM AM or XM if equipped f Select ra...

Page 22: ...can be stored as favorites using the six softkeys located below the radio station frequency tabs and by using the radio FAV button Press FAV to go through up to six pages of favorites each having six favorite stations available per page Each page of favorites can contain any combination of AM FM or XM stations For radios without a FAV button up to 18 stations 6 FM1 6 FM2 and 6 AM can be programmed...

Page 23: ...rt This vehicle may have an 3 5 mm 1 8 in auxiliary input jack and a USB port located on the audio faceplate Some portable audio devices such as iPods MP3 players and USB storage devices can be connected to the vehicle using a 3 5 mm 1 8 in cable or a USB cable For more information see Auxiliary Devices on page 7 20 Bluetooth For vehicles with a Bluetooth system it allows users with a Bluetooth en...

Page 24: ...ain to turn the sound on Press and hold longer than two seconds to interact with the OnStar or Bluetooth systems x c Press to reject an incoming call or to end a call For more information see Steering Wheel Controls on page 5 2 Cruise Control The cruise control buttons are located on the left side of the steering wheel J Press to turn the cruise control system on and off RES Press briefly to make ...

Page 25: ...ion see Driver Information Center DIC on page 5 22 Vehicle Personalization Some vehicle features can be programmed by using the DIC buttons on the left side of the steering wheel These features include Oil Life Reset Units RKE Lock and Unlock Feedback Door Lock and Unlock Settings Language See Vehicle Personalization on page 5 30 Power Outlets Accessory power outlets can be used to plug in electri...

Page 26: ... time the vehicle is started To turn off both traction control and Electronic Stability Control press and hold t until F illuminates and the appropriate DIC message is displayed See Ride Control System Messages on page 5 27 Press and release the button again to turn on both systems For more information see Electronic Stability Control ESC on page 9 31 Tire Pressure Monitor This vehicle may have a ...

Page 27: ...necessary to change the engine oil and filter The oil life system should be reset to 100 only following an oil change Resetting the Oil Life System 1 Turn the ignition to ON RUN with the engine off 2 Press and hold the DIC INFO and reset buttons on the left side of the steering wheel at the same time to enter the personalization menu The Oil Life Reset message displays 3 Press and hold the reset b...

Page 28: ...ner of a new Chevrolet you are automatically enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program See Roadside Assistance Program U S and Canada on page 13 8 or Roadside Assistance Program Mexico on page 13 10 for more information Roadside Assistance and OnStar U S and Canada If you have an active OnStar subscription press the Q button and the current GPS location will be sent to an OnStar advisor who will...

Page 29: ... Navigation and Hands Free Calling are available on most vehicles Not all OnStar services are available on all vehicles For more information see the OnStar Owner s Guide visit www onstar com U S or www onstar ca Canada contact OnStar at 1 888 4 ONSTAR 1 888 466 7827 or TTY 1 877 248 2080 or push the Q button to speak with an OnStar Advisor 24 hours a day 7 days a week For a full description of OnS...

Page 30: ...ng See Radio Frequency Statement on page 13 19 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission FCC rules and Industry Canada Standards RSS 210 220 310 OnStar Steering Wheel Controls This vehicle may have a Talk Mute button that can be used to interact with OnStar Hands Free calling See Steering Wheel Controls on page 5 2 for more information On some vehicles the Talk but...

Page 31: ...Door Ajar Reminder 2 7 Delayed Locking 2 8 Automatic Door Locks 2 8 Lockout Protection 2 8 Safety Locks 2 8 Doors Trunk 2 9 Vehicle Security Vehicle Security 2 11 Anti Theft Alarm System 2 11 Immobilizer 2 12 Immobilizer Operation 2 12 Exterior Mirrors Convex Mirrors 2 13 Power Mirrors 2 14 Heated Mirrors 2 14 Interior Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror 2 14 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror 2 14 Wind...

Page 32: ...g that the dealer or qualified locksmith can use to make new keys Store this information in a safe place not in your vehicle Notice If the keys get locked in the vehicle it may have to be damaged to get them out Always carry a spare key If you are locked out of your vehicle contact Roadside Assistance See Roadside Assistance Program U S and Canada on page 13 8 or Roadside Assistance Program Mexico...

Page 33: ...doors The interior lamps turn off after all of the doors are closed If enabled through the Driver Information Center DIC the remote lock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and or the turn signals flash to confirm locking See LOCK HORN and LIGHT FLASH under Vehicle Personalization on page 5 30 for more information Pressing Q may also arm the anti theft alarm system See Anti Theft Ala...

Page 34: ...again to cancel the panic alarm Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle will work If a transmitter is lost or stolen a replacement can be purchased and programmed through your dealer When the replacement transmitter is programmed to the vehicle all remaining transmitters must also be programmed Any lost or stolen transmitters no longer work once the ...

Page 35: ...he remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel Your vehicle may run out of fuel If your vehicle has the remote start feature the RKE transmitter functions will have an increased range of operation However the range may be less while the vehicle is running There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter see Remote Keyless Entry RKE System on page 2 2 for addit...

Page 36: ...hen back to LOCK OFF The parking lamps turn off to indicate the engine is off After the engine has been started two times or one time with a time extension the vehicle s ignition must be turned to ON RUN using the key before the remote start procedure can be used again See Ignition Positions on page 9 16 for information regarding the ignition positions on your vehicle The remote vehicle start feat...

Page 37: ...ving it Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop the vehicle Locking the doors can help prevent this from happening There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle From the outside turn the key in the driver s door lock counterclockwise to lock the door and clockwise to unlock it or use the remote keyless entry transmitter From the inside move the manua...

Page 38: ...The vehicle is programmed to lock all doors automatically when the following are met All doors are closed The ignition is on The vehicle is shifted out of P Park This feature cannot be disabled All doors will unlock when the vehicle is shifted into P Park The power door unlock function can be programmed through prompts displayed on the Driver Information Center DIC See Vehicle Personalization on p...

Page 39: ...if it is driven with the liftgate trunk hatch open or with any objects that pass through the seal between the body and the trunk hatch or liftgate Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide CO which cannot be seen or smelled It can cause unconsciousness and even death Continued WARNING Continued If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate or trunk hatch open Close all of the windows Fully open th...

Page 40: ...y Trunk Release Handle Notice Do not use the emergency trunk release handle as a tie down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk as it could damage the handle The emergency trunk release handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk enabling them to open the trunk from the inside There is a glow in the dark emergency trunk release handle located inside the trunk on t...

Page 41: ...tem is armed the security light flashes once every three seconds If the security light is flashing twice per second this means that a door is open If the system is armed and the key is used to unlock the vehicle the alarm will be activated If you do not want to arm the system lock the vehicle with the manual lock knob on the doors or with the inside power door lock switches The alarm will sound an...

Page 42: ...tions Commission FCC rules and Industry Canada Standards RSS 210 220 310 Immobilizer Operation This vehicle has a passive theft deterrent system The system does not have to be manually armed or disarmed The vehicle is automatically immobilized when the key is removed from the ignition The system is automatically disarmed when the vehicle is started with the correct key The key uses a transponder t...

Page 43: ...the engine will not start see your dealer for service 3 After the engine has started turn the key to LOCK OFF and remove the key 4 Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to ON RUN within five seconds of the original key being turned to LOCK OFF in Step 3 The security light will turn off once the key has been programmed It may not be apparent that the security light went on due to how quickly ...

Page 44: ...e mirror outward to return to its original position Heated Mirrors For vehicles with heated mirrors Rear Defogger Press to heat the mirrors See Rear Window Defogger under Automatic Climate Control System on page 8 5 for more information Interior Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it for a clearer view of behind your vehicle Adjust the mirror to avo...

Page 45: ...ted Cleaning the Mirror Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror Use a soft towel dampened with water Windows WARNING Leaving children helpless adults or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke Never leave a child a helpless adult or a pet alone in a vehicle especially with...

Page 46: ...e the switch to activate the express up feature To stop the window as it is going up pull up or press down briefly on the switch again Programming the Power Windows If the battery on the vehicle has been recharged disconnected or is not working the driver power window will need to be re programmed for the express up feature to work Replace or recharge the vehicle s battery before reprogramming To ...

Page 47: ...aged Before you use express override make sure that all people and obstructions are clear of the window path In an emergency the anti pinch feature can be overridden in a supervised mode Hold the window switch all the way up to the second position The window rises for as long as the switch is held Once the switch is released the express mode is re activated In this mode the window can still close ...

Page 48: ...between the map lamps The sunroof only operates when the ignition is in ON RUN ACC ACCESSORY or if Retained Accessory Power RAP is active See Retained Accessory Power RAP on page 9 20 Press and release the back of the switch to open the sunroof to the vent position From the vent position press and release the back of the switch to express open the sunroof To stop the sunroof from express opening p...

Page 49: ... cannot be opened or closed if the vehicle has an electrical failure Notice Forcing the sunshade forward of the sliding glass panel may cause damage and the sunroof may not operate properly Always close the glass panel before closing the sunshade Dirt and debris may collect on the sunroof seal or in the tracks that could cause an issue with sunroof operation noise or plug the water drainage system...

Page 50: ...Black plate 20 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 2 20 Keys Doors and Windows 2 NOTES ...

Page 51: ... 24 Airbag System Airbag System 3 25 Where Are the Airbags 3 27 When Should an Airbag Inflate 3 29 What Makes an Airbag Inflate 3 30 How Does an Airbag Restrain 3 30 What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates 3 31 Passenger Sensing System 3 32 Servicing the Airbag Equipped Vehicle 3 36 Adding Equipment to the Airbag Equipped Vehicle 3 37 Airbag System Check 3 38 Replacing Airbag System Parts After...

Page 52: ...operly Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint is at the same height as the top of the occupant s head This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash The height of the head restraint can be adjusted Pull the head restraint up to raise it Try to move the head restraint to make sure that it is locked in place To lower the head restraint press the button located on to...

Page 53: ... you push a pedal when you do not want to Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving To adjust the seat position 1 Lift the bar under the front of the seat cushion to unlock the seat 2 Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar 3 Try to move the seat back and forth to make sure it is locked in place Height Adjustment If available press and hold the top or bottom of ...

Page 54: ...t moving To adjust a power seat if available Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward Raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the control up or down Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down Lumbar Adjustment A Increase Lumbar Support Control B Decrease Lumbar Support Control If availa...

Page 55: ...nst your body Instead it will be in front of you In a crash you could go into it receiving neck or other injuries Continued WARNING Continued The lap belt cannot do its job either In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen The belt forces would be there not at your pelvic bones This could cause serious internal injuries For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion have the seatback u...

Page 56: ... is not locked it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash That could cause injury to the person sitting there Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked To recline the seatback 1 Lift the lever 2 Move the seatback to the desired position and then release the lever to lock the seatback in place 3 Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked To return the seatba...

Page 57: ...uld use care when using the seat heater especially for long periods of time Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat such as a blanket cushion cover or similar item This may cause the seat heater to overheat An overheated seat heater may cause a burn or may damage the seat If available press the top of the switch to turn the heat feature on to the high heat setting The indicat...

Page 58: ...a rear seat To fold the seatback down 1 Make sure the front seatback is not reclined If it is the rear seatback will not fold down all the way If necessary return the front seatback to the upright position See Reclining Seatbacks on page 3 5 2 Pull up on the seatback strap while folding the seatback down Raising the Seatback WARNING A safety belt that is improperly routed not properly attached or ...

Page 59: ...passenger s are not wearing safety belts the injuries can be much worse You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the vehicle You and your passenger s can be seriously injured or killed In the same crash you might not be if you are buckled up Always fasten your safety belt and check that your passenger s are restrained properly too WARNING It is extremely dangerous to ride in...

Page 60: ...n In many of them people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away Without safety belts they could have been badly hurt or killed After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles the facts are clear In most crashes buckling up does matter a lot Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything you go as fast as it goes Take the simplest vehicle Suppose it is just a seat on wheels P...

Page 61: ...Manual 2011 Seats and Restraints 3 11 Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider does not stop The person keeps going until stopped by something In a real vehicle it could be the windshield or the instrument panel or the safety belts ...

Page 62: ...e down Q If my vehicle has airbags why should I have to wear safety belts A Airbags are supplemental systems only so they work with safety belts not instead of them Whether or not an airbag is provided all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection That is true not only in frontal collisions but especially in side and other collisions Q If I am a good driver and I never drive far...

Page 63: ...ants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts First before you or your passenger s wear a safety belt there is important information you should know Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips just touching the ...

Page 64: ... will not give as much protection this way WARNING You can be seriously hurt if the shoulder belt is too loose In a crash you would move forward too much which could increase injury The shoulder belt should fit snugly against your body Q What is wrong with this A The lap belt is too loose It will not give nearly as much protection this way ...

Page 65: ...en fatal injuries The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips just touching the thighs Q What is wrong with this A The belt is buckled in the wrong buckle WARNING You can be seriously injured if the belt is buckled in the wrong place like this In a crash the belt would go up over your abdomen The belt forces would be there not on the pelvic bones This could cause serious internal injuries...

Page 66: ... goes over an armrest like this The belt would be much too high In a crash you can slide under the belt The belt force would then be applied on the abdomen not on the pelvic bones and that could cause serious or fatal injuries Be sure the belt goes under the armrests Q What is wrong with this A The shoulder belt is worn under the arm It should be worn over the shoulder at all times ...

Page 67: ...ernal organs like your liver or spleen The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest Q What is wrong with this A The belt is behind the body WARNING You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap shoulder belt properly In a crash you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury You might al...

Page 68: ...ust the seat if the seat is adjustable so you can sit up straight To see how see Seats in the Index 2 Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you Do not let it get twisted The lap shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly If this happens let the belt go back slightly to unlock it Then pull the belt across you more slowly If the shoulder portion of a passenger bel...

Page 69: ...crash See Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster later in this section for instruction on use and important safety information 5 To make the lap part tight pull up on the shoulder belt It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants To unlatch the belt push the button on the buckle The belt should return to its stowed posit...

Page 70: ...ter is set to the desired position try to move it down without squeezing the buttons to make sure it has locked into position Safety Belt Pretensioners This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front outboard occupants Although the safety belt pretensioners cannot be seen they are part of the safety belt assembly They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate...

Page 71: ...rt for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults When installed and properly adjusted the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt 1 Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip 2 Place the guide over the belt and ...

Page 72: ...de the protection needed in a crash The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces 4 Buckle position and release the safety belt as described previously in this section Make sure the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of i...

Page 73: ... low as possible below the rounding throughout the pregnancy The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother When a safety belt is worn properly it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash For pregnant women as for anyone the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle s safety belt will fasten around you you should ...

Page 74: ... safety belts clean and dry See Safety Belt Care on page 3 24 Safety Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry WARNING Do not bleach or dye safety belts It may severely weaken them In a crash they might not be able to provide adequate protection Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash WARNING A crash can damage the safety belt system in t...

Page 75: ...f rail airbag for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver A roof rail airbag for the right front passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening For frontal airbags the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of...

Page 76: ... close to any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed Do not sit unnecessarily close to any airbag as you would be if you were sitting on the edge of the seat or leaning forward Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash Always wear a safety belt even with airbags The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle O...

Page 77: ... symbol The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions The light tells you if there is an electrical problem See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5 13 for more information Where Are the Airbags The driver s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel The right front passenger s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger s side ...

Page 78: ...ant and an airbag the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury Continued WARNING Continued or even death The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering Do not use seat accessories t...

Page 79: ...ct that does not deform If the vehicle hits a narrow object like a pole the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object like a wall If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design Frontal airbags are ...

Page 80: ...f the cover and deploy The inflator the airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag module Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel For vehicles with seat mounted side impact airbags there are airbags modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door For vehicles with roof rail airbags there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the v...

Page 81: ...could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble To avoid this everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates then get fresh air by opening a window or a door If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment you should seek...

Page 82: ... airbag systems Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly See your dealer for service Passenger Sensing System The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started United States Canada and Mexico The words ON and OFF or the symbol for o...

Page 83: ... restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates This is because the back of the rear facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag A child in a forward facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position Even if the passenger sensing sys...

Page 84: ... front passenger seat When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags to be enabled the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are active For some children who have outgrown child restraints and for very small adults the passenger sensing system may or may not turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat mounted side impact airbag depending upon...

Page 85: ...e vehicle If the on indicator is still lit with an infant present in a child restraint secure the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and see your dealer If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult Size Occupant If a person of adult size is sitting in the right front passenger seat but the off indicator is lit it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat If t...

Page 86: ... 3 37 for more information about modifications that can affect how the system operates WARNING Stowing of 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 p...

Page 87: ...r with GM covers upholstery or trim designed for a different vehicle Any object such as an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device installed under or on top of the seat fabric could also interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing system This could either prevent proper deployment of the passenger airbag s or prevent the passenger sensing system from properly turning...

Page 88: ...module replaced For the location of the airbag modules see What Makes an Airbag Inflate on page 3 30 See your dealer for service Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash WARNING A crash can damage the airbag systems in the vehicle A damaged airbag system may not work properly and may not protect you and your passenger s in a crash resulting in serious injury or even death To help make sure the ...

Page 89: ...oulder Belt on page 3 18 for more information If the shoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder then return to the booster seat Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the hips touching the thighs If yes continue If no return to the booster seat Can proper safety belt fit be maintained for the length of the trip If yes continue If no return to the booster seat Q What is the proper way to wear...

Page 90: ...rly spread the impact forces In a crash the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured A safety belt must be used by only one person at a time WARNING Never do this Never allow a child to wear the safety belt with the shoulder belt behind their back A child can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap shoulder belt properly In a crash the child would not be restrained by the sho...

Page 91: ...hildren to play with the safety belts Airbags plus lap shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children but not for young children and infants Neither the vehicle s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles they should have the protection provided by appropriate child restraints Children who are not restrained ...

Page 92: ...hild restraints which are purchased by the vehicle owner are available in four basic types Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child s weight height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used For most basic types of child restraints there are many different models available When purcha...

Page 93: ...aints WARNING A young child s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones as it should Instead it may settle up around the child s abdomen In a crash the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a ...

Page 94: ... can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle Secure the child restraint properly in the vehicle using the vehicle safety belt or LATCH system following the instructions that came with that child restraint and the instructions in this manual To help reduce the chance of injury the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle Child re...

Page 95: ...se and install child restraints In the U S refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA website to locate the nearest child safety seat inspection station For CPST availability in Canada check with Transport Canada or the Provincial Ministry of Transportation office Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint WARNING A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if t...

Page 96: ...straint in the right front seat always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat See Passenger Sensing System on page 3 32 for additional information When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position study the instructions that came with your child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle Child restra...

Page 97: ...H anchors for additional passengers or child restraints Configurations for Use of Child Restraints A Child restraint using LATCH B Child restraint or occupant using safety belt A Occupant prohibited B Child restraint using LATCH A Child restraint using LATCH B Child restraint or occupant using safety belt C Child restraint using safety belt or LATCH or occupant using safety belt A Child restraint ...

Page 98: ...ling a child restraint with a top tether you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle you need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how ...

Page 99: ...t may have a single tether A or a dual tether C Either will have a single attachment B to secure the top tether to the anchor Some child restraints with top tethers are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached Others require the top tether always to be attached In Canada the law requires that forward facing child restraints have a top tether and that the tether be attached Be...

Page 100: ...sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached According to accident statistics...

Page 101: ...rash attach only one child restraint per anchor WARNING Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten Buckle any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock if the vehicle has one after the child restraint...

Page 102: ...tion This system is designed to make installation of child restraints easier When using lower anchors do not use the vehicle s safety belts Instead use the vehicle s anchors and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether 1 Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors If the child restraint does not ha...

Page 103: ...to expose the anchor 2 2 If the position you are using has an adjustable headrest or head restraint raise it See Head Restraints on page 3 2 2 3 Route attach and tighten the top tether according to the child restraint instructions and the following instructions If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether route the tether over the seatb...

Page 104: ... 3 2 If the position you are using has an adjustable headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether route the tether under the headrest or head restraint and in between the headrest or head restraint posts See Head Restraints on page 3 2 3 Before placing a child in the child restraint make sure it is securely held in place To check grasp the child restraint at the LATCH path and attemp...

Page 105: ... to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle If the child restraint has the LATCH system see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children LATCH System on page 3 48 for how and where to install the child restraint using LATCH If a child restraint is secured in the vehicle using a safety belt and it uses a top tether see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children LATCH System on page 3 48 for top tether a...

Page 106: ... run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how 3 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary 4 Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock When the retractor...

Page 107: ...child in the child restraint make sure it is securely held in place To check grasp the child restraint at the safety belt path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth When the child restraint is properly installed there should be no more than 2 5 cm 1 in of movement To remove the child restraint unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position If the top tet...

Page 108: ...nce even though it is turned off Secure rear facing child restraints in a rear seat even if the airbag is off If you secure a forward facing child restraint in the right front seat always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat See Passenger Sensing System on page 3 32 for additional information If the child restraint has th...

Page 109: ...nger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you start the vehicle See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5 13 2 Put the child restraint on the seat 3 Pick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how 4 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it click...

Page 110: ...and 6 7 Before placing a child in the child restraint make sure it is securely held in place To check grasp the child restraint at the safety belt path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth When the child restraint is properly installed there should be no more than 2 5 cm 1 in of movement If the airbags are off the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator will come o...

Page 111: ...ea with a removable liner is located above the radio Slide the latch toward the rear of the vehicle to open the storage area Glove Box Pull the handle up to open Cupholders Removable cupholders are located in front of the center console See Center Console Storage Area to access them Press and hold the tab at the rear of the cupholders and lift up and rearward to remove the cupholders This disengag...

Page 112: ...down on the door at the back of the center console Front Storage Storage is available in front of the shift lever Open it by pushing on the bottom of the door A driver side storage compratment is located near the steering column on the bottom of the instrument panel Pull the cover down to open Pull out to remove for cleaning ...

Page 113: ...cket may be at the rear of the center console The armrest on top of the center console can be adjusted to a rearward middle and forward position Pull or push the front of the armrest to adjust to the desired position An additional storage area is in front of the main storage Push down and then forward on the rear of the cover to access It has a storage tray and removable cupholders Additional Stor...

Page 114: ...Black plate 4 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 4 4 Storage 2 NOTES ...

Page 115: ...ing Light 5 18 Antilock Brake System ABS Warning Light 5 19 Electronic Stability Control ESC Traction Control System TCS Indicator Warning Light 5 19 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light 5 20 Tire Pressure Light 5 20 Engine Oil Pressure Light 5 21 Security Light 5 22 High Beam On Light 5 22 Cruise Control Light 5 22 Information Displays Driver Information Center DIC 5 22 Vehicle Messages Vehic...

Page 116: ...icles with audio steering wheel controls could differ depending on the vehicle s options Some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel e e Volume Press to increase or to decrease the radio volume w x c Next Previous Press to change radio stations select tracks on a CD or to select tracks and navigate folders on an iPod or USB device To change radio stations Press and release w or x c t...

Page 117: ...d w when the folder is highlighted To go back further in the folder list press and hold x c x c End Press to reject an incoming call or end a current call b g Mute Voice Recognition Press to silence the vehicle speakers only Press again to turn the sound on For vehicles with Bluetooth or OnStar systems press and hold b g for longer than two seconds to interact with those systems See Bluetooth on p...

Page 118: ...15 seconds after the wipers are turned off Windshield Washer Press the button at the end of the windshield wiper lever until the washers begin WARNING In freezing weather do not use the washer until the windshield is warmed Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield blocking your vision When the button is released the washers stop but the wipers continue to wipe about three times or...

Page 119: ...s 2 Press and hold O until a zone number displays 3 Once the zone number displays press O repeatedly until the correct zone number is reached If C appears in the compass window the compass may need calibration See Compass Calibration listed previously Clock Without Date Display AM FM Base Radio with a Single CD Player To set the time 1 Turn the ignition key to ACC ACCESSORY or ON RUN Press the O k...

Page 120: ...d year displays 3 Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs that you want to change 4 To increase the time or date do one of the following Press the softkey located below the selected tab Press the SEEK or FWD button Turn the f knob clockwise 5 To decrease the time or date do one of the following Press the SEEK or s REV button Turn the f knob counterclockwise The date does not automatica...

Page 121: ...pment when not in use and do not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible with the accessory power outlet and could overload vehicle or adapter fuses If a problem is experienced see your dealer When adding electrical equipment be sure to follow the proper installation instructions included with the equipment See Add On Electri...

Page 122: ...equipment requiring an extremely stable power supply such as microcomputer controlled electric blankets touch sensor lamps etc Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement Paying attention to the warning lights and gauges could prevent injury Warning lights come on when...

Page 123: ...Black plate 9 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 Instruments and Controls 5 9 Instrument Cluster English shown Metric similar ...

Page 124: ...e set at zero and a label must be put on the driver door to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer was installed Trip Odometer The trip odometer can show how far the vehicle has been driven since the trip odometer was last reset The trip odometer is accessed and reset through the Driver Information Center DIC See Driver Information Center DIC on page 5 22 for more information Tachomete...

Page 125: ...es the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on Here are four things that some owners ask about These are normal and do not indicate a problem with the fuel gauge At the service station the gas pump shuts off before the gauge reads full It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gauge indicated For example the gauge may have indicated the fuel tank was half full but it actually took a ...

Page 126: ...this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind the driver to fasten their safety 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 safety belt is buckled neither the light nor the chime comes on Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light For vehicles equipped with t...

Page 127: ...e airbag system see Airbag System on page 3 25 The airbag readiness light flashes for a few seconds when the engine is started If the light does not come on then have it fixed immediately WARNING If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started or comes on while driving it means the airbag system might not be working properly The airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in a cra...

Page 128: ... airbag status indicator it means that the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat mounted side impact airbag are enabled may inflate If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator it means that the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal and seat mounted side impact airbag If after several seconds both status indicator lig...

Page 129: ...ment This light should come on when the ignition is on but the engine is not running as a check to show it is working If it does not have the vehicle serviced by your dealer If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on and stays on while the engine is running this indicates that there is an OBD II problem and service is required Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before any problem is ap...

Page 130: ...sion control system malfunction has been detected on the vehicle Diagnosis and service might be required The following may correct an emissions system malfunction Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed See Filling the Tank on page 9 39 The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the atmos...

Page 131: ... Connector DLC The DLC is under the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel See your dealer if assistance is needed The vehicle may not pass inspection if The malfunction indicator lamp is on with the engine running or if the light does not come on when the ignition is turned to ON RUN while the engine is off The critical emission control systems have not been completely diagnosed by th...

Page 132: ...ght stays on if the parking brake does not fully release If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released it means there is a brake problem The Driver Information Center DIC may display a BRAKE FLUID message See Brake System Messages on page 5 26 for more information If the light comes on while driving pull off the road and carefully stop The brake pedal may be harder to push or the pedal ...

Page 133: ... Light on page 5 18 For vehicles with a Driver Information Center DIC see Brake System Messages on page 5 26 for all brake related DIC messages Electronic Stability Control ESC Traction Control System TCS Indicator Warning Light The Electronic Stability Control ESC system or the Traction Control System TCS indicator warning light comes on briefly when the engine is started If the light does not co...

Page 134: ...rning Light This light comes on briefly while starting the vehicle If it does not have the vehicle serviced by the dealer If the system is working normally the indicator light goes off Notice Driving with the engine coolant temperature warning light on could cause the vehicle to overheat See Engine Overheating on page 10 20 The vehicle s engine could be damaged and it might not be covered by the v...

Page 135: ...ion cycle This sequence repeats with every ignition cycle See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10 54 for more information Engine Oil Pressure Light WARNING Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low The engine can become so hot that it catches fire Someone could be burned Check the oil as soon as possible and have the vehicle serviced Notice Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can dam...

Page 136: ...ise Control Light The cruise control light comes on whenever the cruise control is set The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off See Cruise Control on page 9 32 for more information Information Displays Driver Information Center DIC Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center DIC The DIC display gives you the status of many of your vehicle s systems The DIC is also used to display ...

Page 137: ... Air Temperature The outside air temperature will be displayed at the same time as the Odometer and the Trip Odometer The temperature outside of the vehicle will be displayed in either degrees Celsius C or degrees Fahrenheit F The outside air temperature appears on the left side of the DIC display and the odometer or trip odometer appears on the right side of the display Odometer Press the informa...

Page 138: ... AVG is displayed Average fuel economy is then calculated starting from that point If the average fuel economy is not reset it is continually updated each time you drive MPG L 100 KM INST Instantaneous Press the information button until MPG L 100 KM INST displays This mode shows the current fuel economy at a particular moment and changes frequently as driving conditions change This mode shows the ...

Page 139: ...tion button until LF PSI kPa RF displays for the front tires Press the information button again until LR PSI kPa RR displays for the rear tires If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the system while driving a message advising you to add air will appear in the display See Tire Pressure on page 10 51 and Tire Messages on page 5 29 for more information Vehicle Messages The following message...

Page 140: ...e displays when the trunk is not closed completely Make sure that the trunk is closed completely See Trunk on page 2 9 for more information Engine Oil Messages CHANGE OIL SOON This message displays when the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be changed When this message is acknowledged and cleared from the display the engine oil life system must still be reset separately See Engine O...

Page 141: ...ystem is disabled with the headlamp switch See Automatic Headlamp System on page 6 3 for more information AUTO Automatic LIGHTS ON This message displays if the automatic headlamp system is enabled with the headlamp switch See Automatic Headlamp System on page 6 3 for more information Ride Control System Messages ESC Electronic Stability Control ACTIVE If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Contr...

Page 142: ... there has been a problem detected with ESC The ESC TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present When this message displays the system is not working Adjust your driving accordingly See Electronic Stability Control ESC on page 9 31 and Electronic Stability Control ESC Traction Control System TCS Indicator Warning L...

Page 143: ...cle serviced by your dealer immediately Tire Messages SVC Service TIRE MONITOR On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System TPMS this message displays if a part on the TPMS is not working properly The tire pressure light also flashes and then remains on during the same ignition cycle See Tire Pressure Light on page 5 20 Several conditions may cause this message to appear See Tire Pressure Mon...

Page 144: ... will be displayed on the DIC The default settings for the features were set when your vehicle left the factory but may have been changed from their default state since that time To change feature settings use the following procedure Entering Personalization Menu 1 Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped To avoid excessive drain on the battery it is recommended that the headlamps are tur...

Page 145: ...ide of the vehicle using your Remote Keyless Entry RKE transmitter When REMOTE START appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings OFF The remote start feature will be disabled ON default The remote start feature will be enabled See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2 5 for more information To select a setting and move on to the ...

Page 146: ...y RKE transmitter are pressed can be enabled or disabled When LIGHT FLASH appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings OFF The exterior hazard turn signal lighting will not flash when the lock unlock or trunk release buttons on the RKE transmitter are pressed ON default The exterior hazard turn signal lighting will flash wh...

Page 147: ...ing and move on to the next feature press the information button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC UNLK Unlock This screen displays only if DRIVER or ALL is selected for the AUTO UNLK feature This feature determines when the automatic door unlocking will occur When UNLK appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available se...

Page 148: ...ay When LANGUAGE appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings ENGLISH default All messages will appear in English FRENCH All messages will appear in French SPANISH All messages will appear in Spanish GERMAN All messages will appear in German To select a setting and exit out of the personalization menu mode press the informa...

Page 149: ... Fog Lamps 6 4 Interior Lighting Instrument Panel Illumination Control 6 5 Dome Lamps 6 5 Reading Lamps 6 5 Lighting Features Entry Exit Lighting 6 5 Parade Dimming 6 6 Battery Load Management 6 6 Battery Power Protection 6 7 Exterior Lighting Exterior Lamp Controls The band on the lever located on the left side of the steering column operates the exterior lamps The exterior lamp control has the f...

Page 150: ...u This instrument panel cluster light 3 comes on if the high beam lamps are turned on while the ignition is in ON RUN To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam pull the turn signal lever toward you Flash to Pass This feature lets the high beam headlamps be used to signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass Pull the turn signal multifunction lever toward you until the high beam ...

Page 151: ...ridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the system The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only be affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay If the vehicle is started in a dark garage the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately Once the vehicle leaves the garage it takes about one minute for the automatic headlamp system to c...

Page 152: ...ignal automatically flashes three times If more flashes are desired continue to hold the lever The lever returns to its starting position when it is released If a turn signal arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on a signal bulb may need to be replaced See Fuses on page 10 35 Fog Lamps For vehicles with fog lamps the button for this feature is located on the instrument panel to the left of the s...

Page 153: ...the left of the steering column clockwise to the farthest position In this position the dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened or closed Reading Lamps For vehicles with front and rear reading lamps press the lens to turn the lamp on and off while the doors are closed These lamps come on automatically when any door is opened Lighting Features Entry Exit Lighting The lamps inside the vehicle ...

Page 154: ...very high This is true for all vehicles This is because the generator alternator may not be spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power needed for very high electrical loads A high electrical load occurs when several of the following are on such as headlamps high beams fog lamps rear window defogger climate control fan at high speed heated seats engine cooling fans trailer loads and load...

Page 155: ...tection system will automatically shut the lamp s off after 20 minutes This will avoid draining the battery To reactivate the interior lamps do one of the following Turn on the ignition Turn the exterior lamp control off and then on Open a door Press any Remote Keyless Entry RKE transmitter button if equipped Press the remote trunk release button Press the power door lock switch The battery run do...

Page 156: ...Black plate 8 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 6 8 Lighting 2 NOTES ...

Page 157: ...ntenna 7 15 Audio Players CD Player 7 15 Auxiliary Devices 7 20 Phone Bluetooth 7 25 Introduction Infotainment Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the following pages to become familiar with its features WARNING Taking your eyes off the road for extended periods could cause a crash resulting in injury or death to you or others Do not give extended attention to entertainment tasks while ...

Page 158: ... Notice The chime signals related to safety belts parking brake and other functions of your vehicle operate through the radio entertainment system If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment is added to your vehicle the chimes may not work Make sure that replacement or additional equipment is compatible with your vehicle before installing it See Accessories and Modifications on page 10 3...

Page 159: ...Black plate 3 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 Infotainment System 7 3 Operation Radio with CD Base ...

Page 160: ... Power Volume Press to turn the system on and off Turn to increase or decrease the volume Information Press to switch the display between the radio station frequency and the time While the ignition is off press this button to display the time Speed Compensated Volume SCV Radios with the Speed Compensated Volume SCV feature automatically adjust the radio volume to compensate for road and wind noise...

Page 161: ...ual bass and treble settings Unique EQ settings can be saved for each source Setting the Tone Bass Midrange Treble Radio with CD MP3 and USB Port Radio with CD MP3 BASS MID TREB Bass Midrange or Treble To adjust the bass midrange or treble 1 Press the f knob until the tone control tabs display 2 Highlight the desired tone control tab by doing one of the following Pressing the f knob Press the soft...

Page 162: ...g do one of the following Turn the f knob Press either SEEK or SEEK button Press either FWD or s REV button Adjusting the Speakers Balance Fade Radio with CD MP3 and USB Port Radio with CD MP3 BAL FADE Balance Fade To adjust the balance or fade 1 Press the f knob until the speaker control tabs display 2 Highlight the desired speaker control tab by doing one of the following Pressing the f knob Pre...

Page 163: ...n that causes the radio features to work improperly If this happens contact the radio station 4 Information RDS Features For vehicles with RDS features press 4 to display additional text information related to the current FM RDS station If information is available the song title information displays on the top line of the display and artist information displays on the bottom line When information ...

Page 164: ...o goes to a stored preset plays for a few seconds then goes to the next stored preset Press SEEK again to stop scanning preset stations SEEK Press to seek or scan stations with a strong signal in the selected band To seek stations press and release SEEK to go to the next station and stay there To scan stations press and hold SEEK for a few seconds until the radio beeps once The radio goes to a sta...

Page 165: ...buttons To store preset stations 1 Tune to a radio station 2 Press and hold one of the 6 numbered pushbuttons for 3 seconds until a beep sounds 3 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to store additional radio stations Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite Radio that have a FAV button store radio stations as favorites To store a station as a favorite 1 Tune to a radio station 2 Press the FAV button to display the ...

Page 166: ...ist information displays on the bottom line When information is not available NO INFO displays Auto Text Satellite Radio Service If additional information is available for the current song being played Auto Text will automatically page scroll the information every three seconds above the FAV presets on the radio display By default Auto Text is enabled To change the Auto Text setting 1 Press MENU t...

Page 167: ...2 Press either of the two softkeys below the desired category tab to immediately tune to the first XM station in that category To go to the previous or next XM station in the selected category do one of the following Turn the f knob Press the softkey below the right or left arrows in the category tab Press SEEK or SEEK 3 To exit the category search mode press the FAV button or BAND button to displ...

Page 168: ...avorites pages can be setup using the MENU button To setup the number of favorites pages 1 Press the MENU button 2 Press the softkey located below the FAV 1 6 tab 3 Select the number of favorites pages by pressing the softkey located below the displayed page numbers 4 Press the FAV button or let the menu time out to return to the original main radio screen showing the radio station frequency tabs ...

Page 169: ...r call 1 800 929 2100 in the U S and www xmradio ca or call 1 877 438 9677 in Canada CAT Not Found There are no channels available for the selected category The system is working properly XM Theftlocked The XM receiver in the vehicle could have previously been in another vehicle For security purposes XM receivers cannot be swapped between vehicles If this message is received after having the vehic...

Page 170: ...dio stations boost the power levels during the day and then reduce these levels during the night Static can also occur when things like storms and power lines interfere with radio reception When this happens try reducing the treble on the radio XM Satellite Radio Service XM Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception from coast to coast in the 48 contiguous United States and in Canada Ju...

Page 171: ... with sharp objects Notice Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting with metallic film The metallic film in some tinting materials will interfere with or distort the incoming radio reception Any damage caused to your backglass antenna due to metallic tinting materials will not be covered by the vehicle warranty Satellite Radio Antenna For vehicles with XM satellite radio service the antenna is locat...

Page 172: ...Use an adapter ring when playing the smaller 8 cm 3 in discs Smaller discs with the adapter ring are loaded the same way as a full size disc Ejecting a Disc Z EJECT Press to eject the disc If the disc is not removed after several seconds the CD player automatically pulls the disc back in Playing a CD When a CD is inserted into the player the CD symbol displays and as each new track starts to play ...

Page 173: ...as a portable audio player If a portable audio player is not connected No Aux Input Device Found may display Softkeys The five softkeys below the radio display are used to control functions that display as tabs The softkeys below the radio display control the following features RDM Random Tracks can be listened to in random rather than sequential order To use random 1 Press the softkey below RDM t...

Page 174: ...n be accessed however there is no playlist editing capability using the radio These playlists are treated as special folders containing compressed audio song files Playing an MP3 Order of Play Tracks are played in the following order Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist When the last track of the last playlist has pla...

Page 175: ...ry input device such as a portable audio player If a portable audio player is not connected No Aux Input Device Found may display Softkeys The five softkeys below the radio display are used to control functions that display as tabs The softkeys below the radio display control the following features S c Previous Folder Press the softkey below S c to go to the first track in the previous folder c T ...

Page 176: ...e next album in alphabetical order on the disc and begins playing MP3 files from that album To exit music navigator mode press the softkey below the Back tab to return to normal MP3 playback CD Player Messages CHECK DISC If an error message displays and or the disc comes out it could be for one of the following reasons The CD player is very hot When the temperature returns to normal the disc shoul...

Page 177: ...be made from the portable device if the volume is too quiet or not loud BAND Press to listen to the radio while a portable audio device is connected to the auxiliary input The portable audio device continues playing until it is stopped or turned off CD AUX CD Auxiliary Press to play a CD while a portable audio device is connected to the auxiliary input Press again and the system begins playing aud...

Page 178: ... the first track of the first playlist Play begins from the first track in the first folder and continues sequentially through all tracks in each folder When the last track of the last folder has played play continues from the first track of the first folder When play enters a new folder the display does not automatically show the new folder name unless the folder mode has been chosen as the defau...

Page 179: ... hold to advance playback quickly Sound is heard at a reduced volume Release FWD to resume playing 4 Information Press to display additional information about the selected track Softkeys The five softkeys below the radio display are used to control functions that display as tabs To use the softkeys press a softkey below any tab that is displayed or if no tabs are displayed press the first or last ...

Page 180: ...o scroll through the list of menus 3 Press f to select the desired menu 4 Turn f to scroll through the folders or files in the selected menu 5 Press f to select the track To skip through large lists the five softkeys can be used to navigate in the following order First softkey first item in the list Second softkey 1 through the list each time the softkey is pressed Third softkey 5 through the list...

Page 181: ... interact with many cell phones allowing Placement and receipt of calls in a hands free mode Sharing of the cell phone s address book or contact list with the vehicle To minimize driver distraction before driving and with the vehicle parked Become familiar with the features of the cell phone Organize the phone book and contact lists clearly and delete duplicate or rarely used entries If possible p...

Page 182: ... to dial phone numbers and name tags For additional information say Help while you are in a voice recognition menu Noise Keep interior noise levels to a minimum The system may not recognize voice commands if there is too much background noise When to Speak A short tone sounds after the system responds indicating when it is waiting for a voice command Wait until the tone and then speak How to Speak...

Page 183: ...within range of the system the system connects to the first available paired cell phone in the order that they were first paired to the system To link to a different paired phone see Linking to a Different Phone later in this section Pairing a Phone 1 Press and hold b g for two seconds 2 Say Bluetooth 3 Say Pair The system responds with instructions and a four digit PIN number The PIN number is us...

Page 184: ... cell phones were paired Depending on which cell phone you want to connect to you may have to use this command several times 1 Press and hold b g for two seconds 2 Say Bluetooth 3 Say Change phone If another cell phone is found the response will be Phone name is now connected If another cell phone is not found the original phone remains connected Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers The system can s...

Page 185: ... heard followed by a tone After the last digit has been entered say Store and then follow the directions given by the system to save a name tag for this number Using the Delete Command 1 Press and hold b g for two seconds 2 Say Delete 3 Say the name tag you want to delete Using the Delete All Name Tags Command This command deletes all stored name tags in the Hands Free Calling Directory and the On...

Page 186: ...o clear the last number To hear all of the numbers recognized by the system say Verify at any time 1 Press and hold b g for two seconds 2 Say Digit Dial 3 Say each digit one at a time that you want to dial After each digit is entered the system repeats back the digit it heard followed by a tone After the last digit has been entered say Dial Once connected the person called will be heard through th...

Page 187: ...the person on the other end of the call cannot hear them To mute a call press b g and then say Mute Call To cancel mute press b g and then say Un mute Call Transferring a Call Audio can be transferred between the Bluetooth system and the cell phone The cell phone must be paired and connected with the Bluetooth system before a call can be transferred The connection process can take up to two minute...

Page 188: ...name tags during a call You can use this feature when calling a menu driven phone system Account numbers can also be stored for use Sending a Number or Name Tag During a Call 1 Press b g The system responds Ready followed by a tone 2 Say Dial 3 Say the number or name tag to send Clearing the System Unless information is deleted out of the in vehicle Bluetooth system it will be retained indefinitel...

Page 189: ...ntrol Systems 8 1 Automatic Climate Control System 8 5 Air Vents Air Vents 8 9 Climate Control Systems The heating cooling and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with this system A Fan Control B Recirculation C Temperature Control D Outside Air E Air Delivery Mode Control F Air Conditioning G Rear Window Defogger ...

Page 190: ...o the windshield and floor outlets with some air directed to the side windows When this mode is selected the system automatically turns off recirculation and runs the air conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing The air conditioning compressor operates although the indicator light is not on The air conditioning indicator light turns off when defog is selected ...

Page 191: ...se the air inside of the vehicle to become too dry To prevent this from happening after the air in the vehicle has cooled turn the recirculation mode off Outside Air Press to turn the outside air mode on An indicator light comes on to show that it is on Air from outside the vehicle will circulate throughout the vehicle The outside air mode can be used with all modes but it cannot be used with the ...

Page 192: ...ehicle has heated outside mirrors the surface of the outside mirrors heat when the rear window defogger is activated See Heated Mirrors on page 2 14 Notice Do not use anything sharp on the inside of the rear window If you do you could cut or damage the warming grid and the repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Do not attach a temporary vehicle license tape a decal or anything simila...

Page 193: ... control knobs to activate the automatic system When automatic operation is active the system controls the inside temperature and air delivery To place the system in automatic mode do the following 1 Turn the fan knob and the mode knob to the AUTO position The current set temperature displays When AUTO is selected the air conditioning operation and air inlet is automatically controlled The air con...

Page 194: ...errides this delay and changes the fan to the selected speed Manual Operation 9 Off Select this position on the fan knob to turn off the entire climate control system Outside air still enters the vehicle The airflow direction and temperature can be adjusted x w Temperature Control Press the arrows to increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle 9 Fan Control Turn clockwise or counterclo...

Page 195: ...on of the automatic system use floor mode to deliver air to the floor outlets To warm or cool the air delivered press x or w to the desired temperature setting To use the automatic mode turn the knob to AUTO and press x or w to adjust the temperature Outside Air Press to turn the outside air mode on An indicator light comes on to show it is on Air from outside the vehicle will circulate throughout...

Page 196: ...also heat when the rear window defogger is activated See Heated Mirrors on page 2 14 Notice Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass These actions may damage the rear defogger Repairs would not be covered by your warranty Remote Start Climate Control Operation For vehicles with remote start when it ...

Page 197: ...t use non GM approved hood deflectors as they could adversely affect the performance of the system Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more effectively When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is encountered use the recirculation mode with the temperature knob at a comfortable setting to prevent the odor from entering the vehic...

Page 198: ...Black plate 10 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 8 10 Climate Controls 2 NOTES ...

Page 199: ...ver Things That Burn 9 22 Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust 9 22 Running the Vehicle While Parked 9 23 Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission 9 24 Manual Mode 9 25 Brakes Antilock Brake System ABS 9 27 Parking Brake 9 28 Brake Assist 9 28 Ride Control Systems Traction Control System TCS 9 29 Electronic Stability Control ESC 9 31 Cruise Control Cruise Control 9 32 Fuel Fuel 9 35 Recommended Fuel...

Page 200: ...riving Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in injury or possible death These simple defensive driving techniques could save your life Drunk Driving WARNING Drinking and then driving is very dangerous Your reflexes perceptions attentiveness and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol You can have a serious or even fatal collision if you drive after drinking Do not d...

Page 201: ...y disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking Control of a Vehicle The following three systems help to control the vehicle while driving brakes steering and accelerator At times as when driving on snow or ice it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide Meaning you can lose control of the vehicle Adding non dealer accessories can affect vehicl...

Page 202: ... assist is used up it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push Adding non dealer accessories can affect vehicle performance See Accessories and Modifications on page 10 3 Steering Electric Power Steering If the vehicle has the electric power steering system and the engine stalls while driving the power steering assist system will continue to operate until you are able to ...

Page 203: ...om nowhere or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you These problems can be avoided by braking if you can stop in time But sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no room That is the time for evasive action steering around the problem The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these First apply the brakes See Braking on page 9 3 It is better...

Page 204: ...n escape route or area of less danger Skidding In a skid a driver can lose control of the vehicle Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions and by not overdriving those conditions But skids are always possible The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle s three control systems In the braking skid the wheels are not rolling In the steering or ...

Page 205: ...nd deep standing or flowing water WARNING Wet brakes can cause crashes They might not work as well in a quick stop and could cause pulling to one side You could lose control of the vehicle After driving through a large puddle of water or a car vehicle wash lightly apply the brake pedal until the brakes work normally Continued WARNING Continued Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces Driving...

Page 206: ...tips include Keep the vehicle well ventilated Keep interior temperature cool Keep your eyes moving scan the road ahead and to the sides Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments often Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain Tips for driving in these conditions include Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shap...

Page 207: ... creating less traction or grip Wet ice can occur at about 0 C 32 F when freezing rain begins to fall resulting in even less traction Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt or sand Drive with caution whatever the condition Accelerate gently so traction is not lost Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires sli...

Page 208: ...e snow does not collect there Open a window about 5 cm 2 in on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel Adjust the climate control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting See Climate Control System in the Index Continued WARNING Continued F...

Page 209: ...es spin at high speed they can explode and you or others could be injured The vehicle can overheat causing an engine compartment fire or other damage Spin the wheels as little as possible and avoid going above 55 km h 35 mph For information about using tire chains on the vehicle see Tire Chains on page 10 65 Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area...

Page 210: ...This could cause loss of control and a crash Overloading can also shorten the life of the vehicle Tire and Loading Information Label Label Example A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle s center pillar B pillar With the driver s door open you will find the label attached below the door lock post The Tire and Loading Information label shows the number of oc...

Page 211: ...bs and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs 1400 750 5 x 150 650 lbs 5 Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4 6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer the load from your trai...

Page 212: ...000 lbs C Available Cargo Weight 0 kg 0 lbs Refer to the vehicle s Tire and Loading Information label for specific information about the vehicle s capacity weight and seating positions The combined weight of the driver passengers and cargo should never exceed the vehicle s capacity weight Certification Label Label Example A vehicle specific Certification label is attached to the driver side center...

Page 213: ...ntrol and a crash Overloading can also shorten the life of the vehicle If you put things inside the vehicle like suitcases tools packages or anything else they will go as fast as the vehicle goes If you have to stop or turn quickly or if there is a crash they will keep going WARNING Things inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn or in a crash Put things in the carg...

Page 214: ...s are not yet broken in Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement Follow this breaking in guideline every time you get new brake linings Do not tow a trailer during break in See Trailer Towing on page 9 45 for the trailer towing capabilities of the vehicle and more information Following break in engine speed and load can be gradually increased Ignition Positions T...

Page 215: ... ignition to LOCK OFF On vehicles with an automatic transmission the shift lever must be in P Park to turn the ignition switch to the LOCK OFF position 4 Set the parking brake See Parking Brake on page 9 28 The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center If this happens move the steering wheel from right to left while turning the key to ACC ACCESSORY If this doesn t work the vehicle needs ...

Page 216: ... to prevent cranking motor damage To prevent gear damage this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACC ACCESSORY or LOCK OFF position Notice Cranking the engine for long periods of time by returning the key to the START position immediately after cranking has ended can overheat and damage the cranking mo...

Page 217: ...cord is located near the air cleaner box on the passenger side of the engine compartment With a V6 engine the engine coolant heater cord is located on the driver side around the battery box See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 6 for more information on location WARNING Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock Also the wrong kind of extension cord could over...

Page 218: ...et out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P Park with the parking brake firmly set The vehicle can roll If you have left the engine running the vehicle can move suddenly You or others could be injured To be sure the vehicle will not move even when you are on fairly level ground use the steps that follow If you are pulling a trailer see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips on page...

Page 219: ...le puts too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission This happens when parking on a hill and shifting the transmission into P Park is not done properly and then it is difficult to shift out of P Park To prevent torque lock set the parking brake and then shift into P Park To find out how see Shifting Into Park listed previously If torque lock does occur your vehicle may need to be pushed ...

Page 220: ...s That Burn WARNING Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and ignite Do not park over papers leaves dry grass or other things that can burn Engine Exhaust WARNING Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide CO which cannot be seen or smelled Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and even death Exhaust may enter the vehicle if The vehicle idles in areas with poor venti...

Page 221: ...aust may enter the vehicle Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide CO which cannot be seen or smelled It can cause unconsciousness and even death Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has no fresh air ventilation For more information see Engine Exhaust on page 9 22 WARNING It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in P Park with th...

Page 222: ...ee Shifting Into Park on page 9 20 If you are pulling a trailer see Trailer Towing on page 9 45 Make sure the shift lever is fully in P Park before starting the engine The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system You must fully apply the brake pedal then press the shift lever button before you can shift from P Park while the ignition key is in ON RUN If you cannot shift out ...

Page 223: ...sion The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle D Drive This position is for normal driving It provides the best fuel economy If you need more power for passing and you are Going less than 56 km h 35 mph push the accelerator pedal about halfway down Going about 56 km h 35 mph or more push the accelerator all th...

Page 224: ...ropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute RPM The transmission will not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is too low The transmission will not allow shifting to the next lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is too high Second or Third Gear Start Feature When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions...

Page 225: ... rolling the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel as required faster than any driver could This can help the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard As the brakes are applied the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly Remember ABS does not change the time needed to get a...

Page 226: ...remature wear or damage to brake system parts Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips on page 9 42 Brake Assist This vehicle has a brake assist feature designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency drivin...

Page 227: ...rol will automatically disengage The cruise control may be re engaged when road conditions allow See Cruise Control on page 9 32 When this light is on solid and either the SERVICE TRACTION or TRACTION OFF message is displayed the system will not limit wheel spin Adjust your driving accordingly See Ride Control System Messages on page 5 27 for more information The Traction Control System is automat...

Page 228: ...tial could be damaged The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Reduce engine power and do not spin the wheel s excessively while these lights and this message are displayed Notice When traction control is turned off it is possible to lose traction If you attempt to shift with the front wheels spinning with a loss of traction it is possible to cause damage to the transmission Do not...

Page 229: ...ontrol System Messages on page 5 27 This light will flash on the instrument panel cluster when the ESC system is both on and activated The system may be heard or felt while it is working this is normal When the light is on solid and either the SERVICE ESC or ESC OFF message is displayed the system will not assist the driver in maintaining directional control of the vehicle Adjust your driving acco...

Page 230: ...cally if it determines that a problem exists with the system The ESC OFF and SERVICE ESC messages and the ESC TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and requires service If the problem does not clear after restarting the vehicle see your dealer for service See Ride Control System Messages on page 5 27 for more information Adding non dealer accessories can affect the veh...

Page 231: ...ress to turn the cruise control system on and off RES Resume Press briefly to make the vehicle resume a previously set speed or press and hold to accelerate SET Set Press to set the speed and activate cruise control or make the vehicle decelerate Setting Cruise Control If the cruise button is on when not in use it could get bumped and go into cruise when not desired Keep the cruise control switch ...

Page 232: ...ress and hold the SET on the steering wheel until the lower speed desired is reached then release it To slow down in small amounts press the SET button briefly Each time this is done the vehicle goes about 1 6 km h 1 mph slower Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed When you take your foot off the pedal the vehicle will slow down ...

Page 233: ...Fuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85 ethanol E85 See Fuel E85 85 Ethanol on page 9 37 For all other vehicles use only the unleaded gasoline described under Recommended Fuel on page 9 35 Recommended Fuel If the vehicle has the 2 4L L4 engine VIN Code 1 or the 2 4L L4 engine VIN Code U use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane...

Page 234: ...rds the vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications but emission control system performance might be affected The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog check test See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5 15 If this occurs return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type o...

Page 235: ...ol and other fuels containing more than 10 ethanol must not be used in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels Notice This vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol Do not use fuel containing methanol It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty Some gasolines that are not r...

Page 236: ...e If this happens switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve starting For good starting and heater efficiency below 0 C 32 F the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain no more than 70 ethanol It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85 If you do switch fuels it is recommended that you add as much fuel as possible do not add less than 11 L 3 gal when...

Page 237: ...ces Do not re enter the vehicle while pumping fuel Keep children away from the fuel pump never let children pump fuel The fuel cap is behind the fuel door on the vehicle s passenger side To open the fuel door push the rearward center edge in and release and it will open Turn the tethered fuel cap counterclockwise to remove If the vehicle has E85 fuel capability the fuel cap will be yellow and stat...

Page 238: ... the flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant Leave the area immediately Notice If a new fuel cap is needed be sure to get the right type of cap from your dealer The wrong type of fuel cap might not fit properly might cause the malfunction indicator lamp to light and could damage the fuel tank and emissions system See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5 15 Filli...

Page 239: ...ed for the vehicle Contact your dealer or trailering dealer for assistance with preparing the vehicle for towing a trailer See the following trailer towing information in this section For information on driving while towing a trailer see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips For maximum vehicle and trailer weights see Trailer Towing For information on equipment to tow a trailer see Towing Equipm...

Page 240: ...heel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder and under greater loads The trailer also adds wind resistance increasing the pulling requirements For safe trailering correctly use the proper trailering equipment The following information has important trailering tips and rules for your safety and that of your passengers Read this section carefully before pulling a trailer Pulling a Trailer Her...

Page 241: ...ornering This is normal when towing heavier trailers Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer This can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns Passing More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer Because the rig is longer it is necessary to go farther beyond the passed vehicl...

Page 242: ...tude on steep uphill grades engine coolant boils at a lower temperature than at normal 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 while parked preferably on level ground with the transmission in P Park for a few minutes before turning the engine of...

Page 243: ...ke system Inspect these before and during the trip Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing The cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating conditions See Engine Overheating on page 10 20 Trailer Towing Before pulling a trailer there are three important considerations that have to do with weight The weight of the trail...

Page 244: ...rried in it and the people who will be riding in the vehicle If there are a lot of options equipment passengers or cargo in the vehicle it will reduce the tongue weight the vehicle can carry which will also reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow If towing a trailer the tongue load must be added to the GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight too See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9...

Page 245: ...the hitch Leave enough slack so the rig can turn Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground Trailer Brakes Does the trailer have its own brakes Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so they are installed adjusted and maintained properly Because the vehicle has antilock brakes do not tap into the vehicle s brake system If this is done both brake systems will not wo...

Page 246: ...Black plate 48 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 9 48 Driving and Operating 2 NOTES ...

Page 247: ...ock Control Function Check 10 27 Ignition Transmission Lock Check 10 28 Park Brake and P Park Mechanism Check 10 28 Wiper Blade Replacement 10 29 Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming 10 29 Bulb Replacement Bulb Replacement 10 30 Halogen Bulbs 10 30 Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LS and LT 10 30 Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LTZ 10 32 Back Up Lamps 10 33 License Plate Lamp 10 34 Replacement B...

Page 248: ...lat 10 65 Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 67 Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 74 Tire Changing 10 75 Compact Spare Tire 10 83 Jump Starting Jump Starting 10 84 Towing Towing the Vehicle 10 88 Recreational Vehicle Towing 10 88 Appearance Care Exterior Care 10 90 Interior Care 10 94 Floor Mats 10 97 General Information For service and parts needs visit your dealer You will receive g...

Page 249: ...contain perchlorate materials Special handling may be necessary For additional information see www dtsc ca gov hazardouswaste perchlorate Accessories and Modifications Adding non dealer accessories to the vehicle can affect vehicle performance and safety including such things as airbags braking stability ride and handling emissions systems aerodynamics durability and electronic systems like antilo...

Page 250: ...t it Be sure you have sufficient knowledge experience the proper replacement parts and tools before attempting any vehicle maintenance task Be sure to use the proper nuts bolts and other fasteners Metric and English fasteners can be easily confused If the wrong fasteners are used parts can later break or fall off You could be hurt If doing some of your own service work use the proper service manua...

Page 251: ... of the vehicle and push the secondary hood release handle toward the driver side of the vehicle 3 Lift the hood 4 After the hood is slightly lifted it will continue to open to the full position Before closing the hood be sure all the filler caps are on properly Lower the hood until the lifting force of the strut is reduced then release the hood to latch fully Check to make sure the hood is closed...

Page 252: ...Black plate 6 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 10 6 Vehicle Care Engine Compartment Overview 2 4 L L4 Engine ...

Page 253: ...age 10 9 D Engine Oil Dipstick Out of View See Checking Engine Oil under Engine Oil on page 10 9 E Engine Coolant Surge Tank See Engine Coolant on page 10 16 F Pressure Cap See Cooling System on page 10 16 G Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir See Brake Fluid under Brakes on page 10 24 H Battery on page 10 26 I Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir See Adding Washer Fluid under Washer Fluid on page 10 23 ...

Page 254: ...Black plate 8 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 10 8 Vehicle Care 3 6 L V6 Engine ...

Page 255: ...the Fluid Level under Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10 14 J See Battery on page 10 26 K Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 10 36 L Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir See Adding Washer Fluid under Washer Fluid on page 10 23 Engine Oil To ensure proper engine performance and long life careful attention must be paid to engine oil Following these simple but important steps will help protect y...

Page 256: ...l is below the MIN minimum mark for the L4 engine or below the cross hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for the V6 engine add 1 L 1 qt of the recommended oil and then recheck the level See Selecting the Right Engine Oil in this section for an explanation of what kind of oil to use For engine oil crankcase capacity see Capacities and Specifications on page 12 2 Notice Do not add too much oil O...

Page 257: ...viscosity grade Engine oils approved to the dexos specification will show the dexos symbol on the container Failure to use the recommended engine oil or equivalent can result in engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty If you are unsure whether the oil is approved to the dexos specification ask your service provider Use of Substitute Engine Oils if dexos is unavailable In the event that d...

Page 258: ...that is needed for good performance and engine protection 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 o...

Page 259: ...ust 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 miles since the last oil change...

Page 260: ...ission fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11 6 For the 2 4 L and 3 6 L engines the transmission fluid will not reach the end of the dipstick unless the transmission is at operating temperature If the transmission fluid level needs to be checked please take the vehicle to the dealer Engine Air Cleaner Filter See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 6 for the location of the...

Page 261: ... into the bottom hinges and turn the cover down to close it 6 The spring clips will engage easily if the cover is properly seated WARNING Operating the engine with the air cleaner filter off can cause you or others to be burned The air cleaner not only cleans the air it helps to stop flames if the engine backfires Use caution when working on the engine and do not drive with the air cleaner filter ...

Page 262: ...un the engine it could lose all coolant That could cause an engine fire and you could be burned Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle Notice Using coolant other than DEX COOL can cause premature engine heater core or radiator corrosion In addition the engine coolant could require changing sooner at 50 000 km 30 000 mi or 24 months whichever occurs first Any repairs would not be covered b...

Page 263: ...e temperature Notice If an improper coolant mixture is used the engine could overheat and be badly damaged The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Too much water in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine radiator heater core and other parts Never dispose of engine coolant by putting it in the trash pouring it on the ground or into sewers streams or bodies of water Have th...

Page 264: ... hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly They are under pressure and if you turn the surge tank pressure cap even a little they can come out at high speed Never turn the cap when the cooling system including the surge tank pressure cap is hot Wait for the cooling system and surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap WARNING You can be burned if you spill c...

Page 265: ...k If the level is below the FULL COLD mark add additional coolant to bring the level up to the mark Repeat this procedure until the level remains constant at the FULL COLD mark for at least five minutes 4 With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off start the engine and let it run until the upper radiator hose can be felt getting hot Watch out for the engine cooling fans By this time the coolant l...

Page 266: ...run the engine and have the vehicle serviced Notice Engine damage from running the engine without coolant is not covered by the warranty If Steam is Coming from the Engine Compartment WARNING Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly even if you just open the hood Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle unti...

Page 267: ...n of steam idle the engine for three minutes while parked If the warning is still displayed turn off the engine until it cools down Also see Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode following Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode This emergency operating mode allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation If an overheated engine condition exists an overheat prot...

Page 268: ...d 1 Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down 2 Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean 3 Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag 4 Replace the cap and completely tighten it 5 Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick The fluid level should be between the MIN Minimum and MAX Maximum marks when the engine is cold and at the MAX mark when...

Page 269: ...Open the cap with the washer symbol on it Add washer fluid until the tank is full See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 6 for reservoir location Notice When using concentrated washer fluid follow the manufacturer s instructions for adding water Do not mix water with ready to use washer fluid Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage the washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer ...

Page 270: ...ly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque specifications in Capacities and Specifications on page 12 2 Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel This could be a sign that brake service might be required Brake Adjustment Every time t...

Page 271: ...ak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well Do not top off the brake fluid Adding fluid does not correct a leak If fluid is added when the linings are worn there will be too much fluid when new brake linings are installed Add or remove brake fluid as necessary only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system WARNING If too much brake fluid is added it can spill on the engine an...

Page 272: ...inted surfaces the paint finish can be damaged Be careful not to spill brake fluid on the vehicle If you do wash it off immediately Battery Refer to the replacement number shown on the original battery label when a new battery is needed See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 6 for battery location DANGER Battery posts terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds chemicals ...

Page 273: ...N Neutral If the vehicle starts in any other position contact your dealer for service Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check WARNING When you are doing this inspection the vehicle could move suddenly If the vehicle moves you or others could be injured 1 Before starting this check be sure there is enough room around the vehicle It should be parked on a level surface 2 Firmly apply...

Page 274: ...ured and property could be damaged Make sure there is room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move Park on a fairly steep hill with the vehicle facing downhill Keeping your foot on the regular brake set the parking brake To check the parking brake s holding ability With the engine running and the transmission in...

Page 275: ... by your warranty Do not allow the wiper blade arm to touch the windshield To replace the wiper blade 1 Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from the windshield 2 Press the button in the middle of the wiper arm connector and pull the wiper blade away from the arm connector 3 Remove the wiper blade 4 Reverse steps 1 through 3 for wiper blade replacement Headlamp Aiming Headlamp aim has been...

Page 276: ...ted in this section contact your dealer Halogen Bulbs WARNING Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb You or others could be injured Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the bulb package Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LS and LT A Back up Lamp B Stoplamp Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp 1 Open the trunk See Trunk on page 2 9 for more infor...

Page 277: ...and move the trim aside 3 Remove the three wing nuts A which hold the taillamp assembly from inside the trunk 4 Remove the taillamp assembly 5 Turn the bulb socket B counterclockwise to remove it from the lamp assembly A 6 Pull the bulb from the socket B 7 Install a new bulb 8 Reverse Steps 2 through 5 to reinstall the taillamp assembly A ...

Page 278: ...k up Lamp B Stoplamp Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp 1 Open the trunk See Trunk on page 2 9 for more information 2 Remove the two rear convenience net hooks holding the trunk trim and move the trim aside 3 Remove the three wing nuts A which hold the taillamp assembly from inside the trunk 4 Remove the taillamp assembly ...

Page 279: ... B 6 Turn the LED B counterclockwise to remove it 7 Install a new LED B 8 Reverse Steps 2 through 6 to reinstall the taillamp assembly A Back Up Lamps 1 Open the trunk See Trunk on page 2 9 for more information 2 Remove the push pins holding the trunk trim B 3 Move the trim aside far enough to gain access to the bulb assembly A ...

Page 280: ...turning the two screws counterclockwise 2 Turn and pull the license plate lamp assembly forward through the fascia opening 3 Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the bulb straight out of the socket 4 Push the new bulb in and turn it clockwise to install 5 Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall Replacement Bulbs Exterior Lamp Bulb Number Back up Lamp 921 License Plate Lamp 168 Rear Turn S...

Page 281: ...trical overload may cause the lamps to go on and off or in some cases to remain off Have the headlamp wiring checked right away if the lamps go on and off or remain off 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 sn...

Page 282: ...lock The engine compartment fuse block is located on the driver side of the engine compartment near the battery Notice Spilling liquid on any electrical component on the vehicle may damage it Always keep the covers on any electrical component The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses relays and features shown Fuses Usage 1 Air Conditioner Clutch 2 Electronic Throttle Control Fuses Usag...

Page 283: ...ay Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Blower 20 Body Control Module 1 21 Body Control Module Run Crank 22 Rear Electrical Center 1 23 Rear Electrical Center 2 24 Antilock Brake System 25 Body Control Module 2 26 Starter 41 Electric Power Steering Fuses Usage 42 Transmission Control Module Battery 43 Ignition Module LE9 LE5 Injectors Ignition Coils Odd LY7 44 Injectors LE9 LE5 Injectors Ignition ...

Page 284: ...r Conditioning Clutch 35 High Beam Relays Usage 36 Front Fog Lamps 37 Horn 38 Low Beam Headlamp 39 Windshield Wiper 1 40 Windshield Wiper 2 48 Daytime Running Lamps 49 Stoplamps 53 AIR Solenoid Diodes Usage 27 Wiper Instrument Panel Fuse Block The instrument panel fuse block is located on the instrument panel near the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle Remove the panel cover to access the ...

Page 285: ...Control Switch Passenger Airbag Status Indicator Fuses Usage HVAC BLOWER HIGH Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Blower High Speed Relay CLUSTER THEFT Instrument Panel Cluster Theft Deterrent System ONSTAR OnStar If Equipped NOT INSTALLED Not Used AIRBAG IGN Airbag Ignition HVAC CTRL BATT Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Control Diagnostic Link Connector Battery PEDAL Not Used WIPER SW Winds...

Page 286: ... Ventilation Air Conditioning Blower Switch DOOR LOCK Door Locks ROOF HEAT SEAT Sunroof Heated Seat NOT INSTALLED Not Used Fuses Usage NOT INSTALLED Not Used AIRBAG BATT Airbag Battery SPARE FUSE HOLDER Spare Fuse Holder SPARE FUSE HOLDER Spare Fuse Holder SPARE FUSE HOLDER Spare Fuse Holder SPARE FUSE HOLDER Spare Fuse Holder FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller Rear Compartment Fuse Block The rear compartmen...

Page 287: ...ontrols 3 Not Used Fuses Usage 4 Not Used 5 Emission 2 Canister Vent Solenoid 6 Park Lamps Instrument Panel Dimming Fuses Usage 7 Not Used 8 Not Used 9 Not Used 10 Sunroof Controls 11 Not Used 12 Not Used 13 Audio Amplifier 14 Heated Seat Controls 15 Not Used 16 Remote Keyless Entry RKE System XM Satellite Radio If Equipped 17 Back up Lamps 18 Not Used 19 Not Used 20 Auxiliary Power Outlets 21 Not...

Page 288: ...8 Diode Cargo Lamp Wheels and Tires Tires Your new vehicle comes with high quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service see your vehicle Warranty booklet for details For additional information refer to the tire manufacturer WARNING Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous Overloading the tires can...

Page 289: ...uthorized tire service center should repair replace dismount and mount the tires Do not spin the tires in excess of 55 km h 35 mph on slippery surfaces such as snow mud ice etc Excessive spinning may cause the tires to explode See Tire Pressure for High Speed Operation on page 10 52 for inflation pressure adjustment for high speed driving Winter Tires Consider installing winter tires on the vehicl...

Page 290: ...size tires they are classified as low profile performance tires These tires are designed for very responsive driving on wet or dry pavement You may also notice more road noise with low profile performance tires and that they tend to wear faster Notice If the vehicle has low profile tires they are more susceptible to damage from road hazards or curb impact than standard profile tires Tire and or wh...

Page 291: ...ion The Department of Transportation DOT code indicates that the tire is in compliance with the U S Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards D Tire Identification Number TIN The letters and numbers following the DOT Department of Transportation code are the Tire Identification Number TIN The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code tire size and date the tire was manufactured T...

Page 292: ...on page 10 65 C Tire Identification Number TIN The letters and numbers following the DOT Department of Transportation code is the Tire Identification Number TIN The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code tire size and date the tire was manufactured The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire although only one side may have the date of manufacture D Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit Maximum lo...

Page 293: ... digit number indicates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall C Aspect Ratio A two digit number that indicates the tire height to width measurements For example if the tire size aspect ratio is 60 as shown in item C of the illustration it would mean that the tire s sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide D Construction Code A letter code is used to indicate the type ...

Page 294: ...ire A pneumatic tire in which the plies are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread Cold Tire Pressure The amount of air pressure in a tire measured in kPa kilopascal or psi pounds per square inch before a tire has built up heat from driving See Tire Pressure on page 10 51 Curb Weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including ...

Page 295: ...sure for that tire Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight The sum of curb weight accessory weight vehicle capacity weight and production options weight Normal Occupant Weight The number of occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 68 kg 150 lbs See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 12 Occupant Distribution Designated seating positions Outward Facing Sidewall The side of an asymmetrical tire that ha...

Page 296: ... tread remains See When It Is Time for New Tires on page 10 59 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 on page 10 62 ...

Page 297: ...hows the vehicle s original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressures for the tires when they are cold The recommended cold tire inflation pressure shown on the label is the minimum amount of air pressure needed to support the vehicle s maximum load carrying capacity For additional information regarding how much weight the vehicle can carry and an example of the Tire and Loading Informat...

Page 298: ...pressure with the tire gauge Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture Tire Pressure for High Speed Operation WARNING Driving at high speeds 160 km h 100 mph or higher puts an additional strain on tires Sustained high speed driving causes excessive heat build up and can cause sudden tire failure You could have a crash and you or ...

Page 299: ... Under inflation also reduces fuel 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...

Page 300: ...e Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 12 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 operatio...

Page 301: ... malfunction light and DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle 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 the DIC message should go off after the road tire is replaced and the sensor matching process is performed ...

Page 302: ... purchase a relearn tool 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 matching process is 1 Set the parking brake 2 Turn the ignition to ON RUN with the engine off 3 Press and hold the Remote Keyless Entry RKE transmitter s LOCK and UNLOCK but...

Page 303: ...evel as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label Tire Inspection GM recommends 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...

Page 304: ...See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10 54 Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened See Wheel Nut Torque under Capacities and Specifications on page 12 2 WARNING Rust or dirt on a wheel or on the parts to which it is fastened can make wheel nuts become loose after time The wheel could come off and cause an accident When Continued WARNING Continued changing a wheel remove any ...

Page 305: ...ore information on when tires should be replaced Vehicle Storage Tires age when stored normally mounted on a parked vehicle Park a vehicle that will be stored for at least a month in a cool dry clean area away from direct sunlight to slow aging This area should be free of grease gasoline or other substances that can deteriorate rubber Parking for an extended period can cause flat spots on the tire...

Page 306: ...on page 10 57 and Tire Rotation on page 10 57 for information on proper tire rotation WARNING Tires could explode during improper service Attempting to mount or dismount a tire could cause injury or death Only your dealer or authorized tire service center should mount or dismount the tires WARNING Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving If you mix tires of different sizes brands...

Page 307: ...formation about the Tire and Loading Information label and its location on the vehicle Different Size Tires and Wheels If wheels or tires are installed that are a different size than the original equipment wheels and tires vehicle performance including its braking ride and handling characteristics stability and resistance to rollover may be affected If the vehicle has electronic systems such as an...

Page 308: ...minal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches 25 to 30 cm or to some limited production tires While the tires available on General Motors passenger cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these grades they must also conform to federal safety requirements and additional General Motors Tire Performance Criteria TPC standards All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety Requirements In Addi...

Page 309: ...nd reduce tire life and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No 109 Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law Warning The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire...

Page 310: ...th new GM original equipment parts WARNING Using the wrong replacement wheels wheel bolts or wheel nuts can be dangerous It could affect the braking and handling of the vehicle Tires can lose air and cause loss of control causing a crash Always use the correct wheel wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement Notice The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life brake cooling speedometer...

Page 311: ...hat manufacturer s instructions To help avoid damage to the vehicle drive slowly readjust or remove the device if it is contacting the vehicle and do not spin the vehicle s wheels If you do find traction devices that will fit install them on the front tires If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blowout especially if the tires are maintained properly See Tires If air goes out of a tire it...

Page 312: ... safety equipment and training If a jack is provided with the vehicle it is designed only for changing a flat tire If it is used for anything else you or others could be badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack If a jack is provided with the vehicle only use it for changing a flat tire If a tire goes flat avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place well ...

Page 313: ...e has a flat tire B use the following example as a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks A A Wheel Block B Flat Tire The following information explains how to repair or change a tire Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit WARNING Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is dangerous Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide CO which cann...

Page 314: ...mpressor kit there may not be a spare tire tire changing equipment and on some vehicles there may not be a place to store a tire The tire sealant and compressor can be used to temporarily seal punctures up to 6 mm in in the tread area of the tire It can also be used to inflate an under inflated tire If the tire has been separated from the wheel has damaged sidewalls or has a large puncture the tir...

Page 315: ...re Follow the directions closely for correct sealant usage When using the tire sealant and compressor kit during cold temperatures warm the kit in a heated environment for five minutes This will help to inflate the tire faster If a tire goes flat avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place Turn on the hazard warning flashers See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6 4 See If...

Page 316: ...e compressor pushes the sealant into the tire Once the sealant is completely dispersed into the tire the pressure will quickly drop and start to rise again as the tire inflates with air only 10 Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure using the pressure gauge D The recommended inflation pressure can be found on the Tire and Loading Information label See Tire Pressure on page 10 51 Th...

Page 317: ...e the maximum speed label from the sealant canister and place it in a highly visible location Do not exceed the speed on this label until the damaged tire is repaired or replaced 17 Return the equipment to its original storage location in the vehicle 18 Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km 5 mi to distribute the sealant in the tire 19 Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure Refer to Step...

Page 318: ...nctured To use the air compressor to inflate a tire with air only and not sealant If a tire goes flat avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place Turn on the hazard warning flashers See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6 4 See If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10 65 for other important safety warnings 1 Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location See St...

Page 319: ...re and Loading Information label See Tire Pressure on page 10 51 The pressure gauge D may read higher than the actual tire pressure while the compressor is on Turn the compressor off to get an accurate reading The compressor may be turned on off until the correct pressure is reached If the tire is inflated higher than the recommended pressure press the pressure relief button C if equipped until th...

Page 320: ...lace with a new canister which is available from your dealer 5 Push the new canister into place 6 Screw the connector B to the canister A 7 Slide the plastic cover back on Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit The tire sealant and compressor kit is located in the trunk 1 Open the trunk See Trunk on page 2 9 2 Lift the cover 3 Turn the retainer clockwise and remove the tire sealant and compre...

Page 321: ...re tire cover 3 Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it Then remove the compact spare tire See Compact Spare Tire on page 10 83 for more information 4 Remove the wing nut holding the jack in place 5 Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk Tire Changing Tools The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench A and jack B 1 Turn the wing nut counterclockwise to loosen wheel wrenc...

Page 322: ...the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that has plastic wheel nut caps loosen the plastic nut caps You might need to use the wheel wrench to loosen them Do not pry off wheel covers or center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps 3 Remove the wheel cover or center cap from the wheel to locate the wheel nuts If the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap without plastic wheel nut caps gently pry on the...

Page 323: ...ed up is dangerous If the vehicle slips off the jack you could be badly injured or killed Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack WARNING Raising the vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damage the vehicle and even make the vehicle fall To help avoid personal injury and vehicle damage be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising the veh...

Page 324: ...WARNING Continued an emergency use a cloth or a paper towel to do this but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later if needed to get all the rust or dirt off See If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10 65 10 Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts mounting surfaces and spare wheel 11 Install the compact spare tire WARNING Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts because the nuts might come loose T...

Page 325: ...original equipment wheel nut torque specifications Notice Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage To avoid expensive brake repairs evenly tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification See Capacities and Specifications on page 12 2 for the wheel nut torque specification 14 Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross seque...

Page 326: ...e To store the flat tire and jack in the compact spare tire compartment 1 Open the trunk See Trunk on page 2 9 2 Remove the bolt extension in the yellow sleeve from the jack and remove the center cap from the wheel 3 Collapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it 4 Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench into the hole on the side of the jack Then place the wrenc...

Page 327: ... lay completely flat 8 Line up the bolt with the wheel center 9 With the yellow cap in place to prevent the wheel from being scratched screw the bolt extension onto the bolt through the wheel center hole 10 Remove the yellow cap from the bolt extension 11 Secure the tire and wheel with the larger wing nut A Cover B Wing Nut C Extension D Flat Tire valve stem up E Nut F Jack G Bolt The compact spar...

Page 328: ...lapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it 3 Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench into the hole on the side of the jack Then place the wrench handle over the tab on the side of the jack 4 Raise the jack to the height shown and lock the wrench onto the jack 5 Place the jack in the spare tire well Make sure the stow bolt goes through the hole in the center of ...

Page 329: ...ake sure the spare tire is correctly inflated The compact spare is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph 105 km h for distances up to 3 000 miles 5 000 km so you can finish your trip and have the full size tire repaired or replaced at your convenience Of course it is best to replace the spare with a full size tire as soon as possible The spare tire will last longer and be in good shape in ca...

Page 330: ...hat has a 12 volt system with a negative ground for jump starting If the other vehicle does not have a 12 volt system with a negative ground both vehicles can be damaged 2 Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach but be sure the vehicles are not touching each other If they are it could cause a ground connection you do not want You would not be able to start your vehicle and the...

Page 331: ...if you need more light Be sure the battery has enough water You do not need to add water to the battery installed in your new vehicle But if a battery has filler caps be sure the right amount of fluid is there If it is low add water to take care of that first If you don t explosive gas could be present Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you Do not get it on you If you accidentally get it in...

Page 332: ...k negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery Use a remote negative terminal if the vehicle has one Do not let the other end touch anything until the next step The other end of the negative cable does not go to the dead battery It goes to a heavy unpainted metal engine part or to a remote negative terminal on the vehicle with the dead battery 9 Connect the other end of the negative...

Page 333: ...vy Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative Terminal B Good Battery or Remote Positive and Remote Negative Terminals C Dead Battery or Remote Positive Terminal To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles do the following 1 Disconnect the black negative cable from the vehicle that had the dead battery 2 Disconnect the black negative cable from the vehicle with the good battery 3 Discon...

Page 334: ...ans towing the vehicle behind another vehicle such as behind a motor home The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly Here are some important things to consider...

Page 335: ...king brake 4 To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed remove the following fuse from the instrument panel fuse block IGN SENSOR See Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 10 38 for more information 5 Turn the ignition to ACC ACCESSORY 6 Shift the transmission to N Neutral 7 Release the parking brake Remember to reinstall the IGN SENSOR fuse once the destination has been r...

Page 336: ...vered by the vehicle warranty Never have the vehicle towed from the rear Appearance Care Exterior Care Cleaning Exterior Lamps Lenses Use only lukewarm or cold water a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses Follow instructions under Washing the Vehicle later in this section Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle by hand may be necessary to remo...

Page 337: ...al care with aluminum trim To avoid damaging protective trim never use auto or chrome polish steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum A coating of wax rubbed to high polish is recommended for all bright metal parts Washing the Vehicle To preserve the vehicle s finish keep it clean by washing it often Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight and use a car washing soap Notice Do not use cleaning ag...

Page 338: ... clean towel A wax may then be applied Notice Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving on roads that have been sprayed with magnesium calcium or sodium chloride These chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as ice and dust Always wash the chrome with soap and water after exposure Notice Do not use strong soaps chemicals abrasive polishes...

Page 339: ...ay from all painted surfaces on the vehicle Sheet Metal Damage If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement make sure the body repair shop applies anti corrosion material to parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the corrosion protection while maintaining the vehicle warranty Finish Damage Any ston...

Page 340: ...idly Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent cleaning Newspapers and garments that can transfer color to home furnishings can also transfer color to the interior Remove dust from small buttons and knobs with a small brush with soft bristles Your dealer has products for cleaning the interior When cleaning the interior only use cleaners specifically designed for the surfaces that are bei...

Page 341: ...ted floor mats For soils always try to remove them first with plain water or club soda Before cleaning gently remove as much of the soil as possible using one of the following techniques For liquids gently blot the remaining soil with a paper towel Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel until no more can be removed For solid dry soils remove as much as possible and then vacuum To clean 1 Sa...

Page 342: ...orm manner Instrument Panel Vinyl and Other Plastic Surfaces To remove dust a soft cloth dampened with water can be used If a more thorough cleaning is necessary a clean soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used to gently remove dust and dirt Never use spot lifters or removers on plastic surfaces Many commercial cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and protect soft plast...

Page 343: ...ncreased stopping distance which can cause a crash and injury Make sure the floor mat does not interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal Use the following guidelines for proper floor mat usage The original equipment floor mats were designed for your vehicle If the floor mats need replacing it is recommended that GM certified floor mats be purchased Non GM floor mats may not fit properly and ma...

Page 344: ...moving and Replacing the Floor Mat 1 Pull up on the rear of the mat to remove it from the hooks 2 Reinstall the floor mat by lining up the openings in the floor mat over the hooks and push it down into position 3 Make sure the floor mat is properly secured and verify that it does not interfere with the accelerator or brake pedals ...

Page 345: ...icle owner you are responsible for the scheduled maintenance in this section We recommend having your dealer perform these services Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep the vehicle in good working condition improves fuel economy and reduces vehicle emissions for better air quality Because of all the different ways people use vehicles maintenance needs vary The vehicle might need more frequent ...

Page 346: ...sted in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11 6 and Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 11 7 We recommend the use of genuine parts from your dealer Rotation of New Tires To maintain ride handling and performance of the vehicle it is important that the first rotation service for new tires be performed Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km 7 500 miles See Tire Rotation on page 10 57 Sched...

Page 347: ...d clamps and replacement if needed Windshield washer fluid level check See Washer Fluid on page 10 23 Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear cracking or contamination and windshield and wiper blade cleaning if contaminated See Exterior Care on page 10 90 Worn or damaged wiper blade replacement See Wiper Blade Replacement on page 10 29 Tire inflation pressures check See Tire Pressure on page 10...

Page 348: ...00 km 7 500 miles See Tire Rotation on page 10 57 At Each Fuel Stop Engine oil level check See Engine Oil on page 10 9 Engine coolant level check See Engine Coolant on page 10 16 Windshield washer fluid level check See Washer Fluid on page 10 23 Once a Month Tire inflation check See Tire Pressure on page 10 51 Tire wear inspection See Tire Inspection on page 10 57 Sunroof track and seal inspection...

Page 349: ...e if the vehicle has one works properly Replace as needed An Emission Control Service The U S Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle s useful life We however urge that all recommended maintenance serv...

Page 350: ...0 mixture of clean drinkable water and use only DEX COOL Coolant See Engine Coolant on page 10 16 Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid GM Part No 88862806 in Canada 88862807 Windshield Washer Optikleen Washer Solvent Hydraulic Power Steering System if equipped GM Power Steering Fluid GM Part No 89021184 in Canada 89021186 Automatic Transmission DEXRON VI Automatic Transmission Fluid ...

Page 351: ...ne Grease GM Part No 12345579 in Canada 992887 Maintenance Replacement Parts Replacement parts identified below by name part number or specification can be obtained from your dealer Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number Engine Air Cleaner Filter 22676970 A1627C Engine Oil Filter 2 4L L4 Engine 12605566 PF457G 3 6L V6 Engine 89017524 PF48 Spark Plugs 2 4L L4 Engine 12625058 41 103 3 6L V6 Engine ...

Page 352: ...Maintenance Records After the scheduled services are performed record the date odometer reading who performed the service and the type of services performed in the boxes provided Retain all maintenance receipts Maintenance Record Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed ...

Page 353: ...Black plate 9 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 Service and Maintenance 11 9 Maintenance Record cont Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed ...

Page 354: ...Black plate 10 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 11 10 Service and Maintenance Maintenance Record cont Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed ...

Page 355: ...ndshield from outside The VIN also appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts labels and certificates of title and registration Engine Identification The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code This code identifies the vehicle s engine specifications and replacement parts See Engine Specifications under Capacities and Specifications on page 12 2 for the vehicle s engine code Ser...

Page 356: ...Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge amount see the refrigerant label located under the hood See your dealer for more information Engine Cooling System 2 4L L4 Engine 7 1 L 7 5 qt 3 6L V6 Engines 9 4 L 9 9 qt Engine Oil with Filter 2 4L L4 Engine 4 7 L 5 0 qt 3 6L V6 Engine 5 2 L 5 5 qt Fuel Tank 61 7 L 16 3 gal ...

Page 357: ...t Wheel Nut Torque 140 Y 100 ft lb See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10 14 for information on checking fluid level All capacities are approximate When adding be sure to fill to the approximate level as recommended in this manual Recheck fluid level after filling Engine Specifications Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap 2 4L L4 Engine U Automatic 1 01 mm 0 040 in 2 4L L4 Engine 1 Aut...

Page 358: ...Black plate 4 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 12 4 Technical Data Engine Drive Belt Routing 2 4L L4 Engine 3 6L V6 Engine ...

Page 359: ...orting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government 13 17 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors 13 17 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy 13 17 Event Data Recorders 13 18 OnStar 13 19 Radio Frequency Identification RFID 13 19 Radio Frequency Statement 13 19 Customer Information Customer Satisfaction Procedure U S and Canada Your satisfaction and goodwill are imp...

Page 360: ...th 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 the Council of Better Business Bureaus to settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle repairs or the interpretatio...

Page 361: ...e 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 For further information concerning eligibility in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan CAMVAP call toll free 1 800 207 0685 or call the General Motors Customer Communication C...

Page 362: ... to the dealer service agent service manager dealer sales agent or sales manager depending on your case Make sure that they have all necessary information They are interested in your continual satisfaction STEP TWO If you are not satisfied please contact the general manager or the dealership owner to ask for their help If they are not able to resolve your case ask them to contact the right people ...

Page 363: ... Canada General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre Mail Code CA1 163 005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario L1H 8P7 www gm ca 1 800 263 3777 English 1 800 263 7854 French 1 800 263 3830 For Text Telephone devices TTYs Roadside Assistance 1 800 268 6800 Overseas Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit Mexico Central America and Caribbean Islands Countries Except...

Page 364: ...paired and who use Text Telephones TTYs Chevrolet has TTY equipment available at its Customer Assistance Center Any TTY user in the U S can communicate with Chevrolet by dialing 1 800 833 2438 TTY users in Canada can dial 1 800 263 3830 Online Owner Center Chevrolet Owner Center U S www chevyownercenter com Information and services customized for your specific vehicle all in one convenient place D...

Page 365: ...etails such as address and phone number for each of your preferred GM dealers My Driveway Access quick links to parts and service estimates check trade in values or schedule a service appointment by adding the vehicles you own to your driveway profile My Preferences Manage your profile and use tools and forms with greater ease To sign up visit the My GM ca section within www gm ca GM Mobility Reim...

Page 366: ...del year color and license plate number of the vehicle Odometer reading Vehicle Identification Number VIN and delivery date of the vehicle Description of the problem Coverage Services are provided up to 5 years 160 000 km 100 000 mi whichever comes first In the U S anyone driving the vehicle is covered In Canada a person driving the vehicle without permission from the owner is not covered Roadside...

Page 367: ...nd properly inflated It is the owner s responsibility for the repair or replacement of the tire if it is not covered by the warranty Battery Jump Start Service to jump start a dead battery Services Not Included in Roadside Assistance Impound towing caused by violation of any laws Legal fines Mounting dismounting or changing of snow tires chains or other traction devices Towing or services for vehi...

Page 368: ...ays of the year For detailed information about Roadside Assistance please see the brochure provided with your new vehicle or visit our website at www chevrolet com mx Navigate the site and click on Asistencia en el Camino E mail correspondence should be sent to asistencia chevrolet gm com To contact Roadside Assistance by phone use the following numbers Mexico 01 800 466 0800 United States 1 866 4...

Page 369: ... inconvenience by providing several transportation options Depending on the circumstances the dealer can offer one of the following Shuttle Service Shuttle service is the preferred means of offering Courtesy Transportation Dealers may provide shuttle service to get you to your destination with minimal interruption of your daily schedule This includes one way or round trip shuttle service within re...

Page 370: ...ealer Please contact the dealer for specific information about availability All Courtesy Transportation arrangements will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel 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...

Page 371: ...hoose a collision repair facility that meets your needs before you ever need collision repairs The 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 collisi...

Page 372: ...lephone number Vehicle license plate number Vehicle make model and model year Vehicle Identification Number VIN Insurance company and policy number General description of the damage to the other vehicle Choose a reputable repair facility that uses quality replacement parts See Collision Parts earlier in this section If the airbag has inflated see What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates on page ...

Page 373: ...e control of the repair and parts choices as long as the cost stays within reasonable limits Service Publications Ordering Information Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on the engines transmission axle suspension brakes electrical steering body etc Service Bulletins Service Bulletins give additional technical service information needed to knowledgeably servi...

Page 374: ...ects to the United States Government If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying General Motors If NHTSA receives similar complaints it may open an investigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles ...

Page 375: ...800 263 7854 French or write General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre Mail Code CA1 163 005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario L1H 8P7 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy This GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle s performance and how it is driven For example the vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control eng...

Page 376: ...n trivial crash situation occurs no data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data e g name gender age and crash location is recorded However other parties such as law enforcement could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation To read data recorded by an EDR special equipment is required and ...

Page 377: ...iences such as key fobs for remote door locking unlocking and starting and in vehicle transmitters for garage door openers RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use or record personal information or link with any other GM system containing personal information Radio Frequency Statement This vehicle has systems that operate on a radio frequency that comply with Part 15 of the Federal Communicatio...

Page 378: ...Black plate 20 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2011 13 20 Customer Information 2 NOTES ...

Page 379: ...ness Light 5 13 Servicing Airbag Equipped Vehicles 3 36 System Check 3 25 Alarm System Anti Theft 2 11 AM FM Radio 7 7 Antenna Satellite Radio 7 15 Anti Theft Alarm System 2 11 Antilock Brake System ABS 9 27 Warning Light 5 19 Appearance Care Exterior 10 90 Interior 10 94 Assistance Program Roadside 13 8 13 10 Audio Players 7 15 CD 7 15 Audio System Backglass Antenna 7 15 Radio Reception 7 14 Thef...

Page 380: ...hlorate Materials Requirements 10 3 Warning 10 3 Canadian Vehicle Owners iii Capacities and Specifications 12 2 Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust 9 22 Trunk 2 9 Winter Driving 9 9 Cautions Danger and Warnings iv CD Player 7 15 Center Console Storage 4 3 Chains Tire 10 65 Charging System Light 5 15 Check Engine Light 5 15 Ignition Transmission Lock 10 28 Child Restraints Infants and Young Children 3 4...

Page 381: ...mation Service Publications Ordering Information 13 15 Customer Satisfaction Procedure 13 1 13 3 D Damage Repair Collision 13 12 Danger Warnings and Cautions iv Data Recorders Event 13 18 Daytime Running Lamps DRL 6 2 Defensive Driving 9 2 Delayed Headlamps 6 3 Delayed Locking 2 8 Devices Auxiliary 7 20 Dome Lamps 6 5 Door Ajar Messages 5 26 Ajar Reminder 2 7 Delayed Locking 2 8 Locks 2 7 Power Lo...

Page 382: ... 5 11 Coolant Temperature Warning Light 5 20 Cooling System 10 16 Drive Belt Routing 12 4 Exhaust 9 22 Heater 9 19 Overheated Protection Operating Mode 10 21 Overheating 10 20 Power Messages 5 26 Pressure Light 5 21 Running While Parked 9 23 Starting 9 18 Engine Oil Life System 10 13 Messages 5 26 Entry Exit Lighting 6 5 Equipment Towing 9 47 Event Data Recorders 13 18 Extender Safety Belt 3 23 Ex...

Page 383: ...asoline Specifications 9 36 Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature 5 11 Fuel 5 10 Odometer 5 10 Speedometer 5 10 Tachometer 5 10 Trip Odometer 5 10 Warning Lights and Indicators 5 8 General Information Service and Maintenance 11 1 Towing 9 41 Vehicle Care 10 2 Glove Box 4 1 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program 13 7 H Halogen Bulbs 10 30 Hazard Warning Flashers 6 4 Head Restraints 3 2 Headlamps Aiming 10 2...

Page 384: ...7 Keyless Entry Remote RKE System 2 3 Keys 2 2 L Labeling Tire Sidewall 10 44 Lamp Messages 5 27 Lamps Daytime Running DRL 6 2 Dome 6 5 Exterior Controls 6 1 Exterior Lamps Off Reminder 6 2 License Plate 10 34 Malfunction Indicator 5 15 Reading 6 5 Lap Shoulder Belt 3 18 LATCH System Replacing Parts After a Crash 3 55 LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children 3 48 Light Electronic Stability Con...

Page 385: ...ment 3 4 Front Seats 3 4 M Maintenance Records 11 8 Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 11 6 Scheduled Maintenance 11 2 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 5 15 Manual Mode 9 25 Messages Airbag System 5 29 Brake System 5 26 Door Ajar 5 26 Engine Oil 5 26 Engine Power 5 26 Fuel System 5 27 Key and Lock 5 27 Lamp 5 27 Ride Control System 5 27 Service Vehicle 5 29 Tire 5 29 Vehicle 5 25 Veh...

Page 386: ...28 Over Things That Burn 9 22 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator 5 13 Passenger Sensing System 3 32 Perchlorate Materials Requirements California 10 3 Personalization Vehicle 5 30 Phone Bluetooth 7 25 Power Door Locks 2 7 Mirrors 2 14 Outlets 5 7 Protection Battery 6 7 Retained Accessory RAP 9 20 Seat Adjustment 3 4 Steering Fluid 10 22 Windows 2 16 Pregnancy Using Safety Belts 3 23 Privacy Radio F...

Page 387: ...s Canadian Government 13 17 General Motors 13 17 U S Government 13 16 Restraints Where to Put 3 45 Retained Accessory Power RAP 9 20 Ride Control Systems 9 31 Electronic Stability ESC 9 31 Messages 5 27 Roads Driving Wet 9 7 Roadside Assistance Program 13 8 13 10 Roof Sunroof 2 18 Rotation Tires 10 57 Routing Engine Drive Belt 12 4 Running the Vehicle While Parked 9 23 S Safety Belts 3 9 Care 3 24...

Page 388: ...Ordering Information 13 15 Scheduling Appointments 13 10 Vehicle Messages 5 29 Servicing the Airbag 3 36 Shift Lock Control Function Check Automatic Transmission 10 27 Shifting Into Park 9 20 Out of Park 9 21 Signals Turn and Lane Change 6 4 Spare Tire Compact 10 83 Specifications and Capacities 12 2 Speedometer 5 10 Start Vehicle Remote 2 5 Starter Switch Check 10 27 Starting the Engine 9 18 Stee...

Page 389: ...re Light 5 20 Pressure Monitor System 10 53 Rotation 10 57 Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 67 Sealant and Compressor Kit Storing 10 74 Sidewall Labeling 10 44 Terminology and Definitions 10 48 Uniform Tire Quality Grading 10 62 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance 10 63 Wheel Replacement 10 64 When It Is Time for New Tires 10 59 Winter 10 43 Towing Driving Characteristics 9 42 Equipment 9 47 General Inf...

Page 390: ...Kit 10 74 Tire Pressure 10 51 Vehicle Identification Service Parts Identification Label 12 1 Ventilation Air 8 9 Visors 2 18 W Warning Brake System Light 5 18 Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators 5 8 Warnings iv Cautions and Danger iv Hazard Flashers 6 4 Washer Fluid 10 23 Washer Fluid Messages 5 30 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance 10 63 Different Size 10 61 Replacement 10 64 When It Is Time for ...

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