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Chevrolet 2012 Malibu, Owner'S Manual

The Chevrolet 2012 Malibu Owner's Manual is an essential guide for every Malibu owner. This comprehensive manual provides detailed instructions and information on all aspects of your vehicle. Download this manual for free from manualshive.com and gain valuable insights to maximize your Malibu's performance and enjoyment.

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Black plate (13,1)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012

Instruments and Controls

5-13

The airbag readiness light comes on
solid 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
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.

If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message can also come on.
See

Airbag System Messages on

page 5

‑

28

for more information.

Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator

The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See

Passenger

Sensing System on page 3

‑

24

for

important safety information. The
instrument panel has a passenger
airbag status indicator.

United States

Canada and Mexico

When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. If you are using
remote start to start the vehicle from
a distance, if equipped, you may not
see the system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the right front
passenger frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags.

If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
are enabled (may inflate).

Summary of Contents for 2012 Malibu

Page 1: ...s Gauges and Indicators 5 8 Information Displays 5 22 Vehicle Messages 5 25 Vehicle Personalization 5 29 Lighting 6 1 Exterior Lighting 6 1 Interior Lighting 6 5 Lighting Features 6 6 Infotainment System 7 1 Introduction 7 1 Radio 7 6 Audio Players 7 13 Phone 7 23 Climate Controls 8 1 Climate Control Systems 8 1 Air Vents 8 9 Driving and Operating 9 1 Driving Information 9 2 Starting and Operating...

Page 2: ...nance and Care 11 8 Recommended Fluids Lubricants and Parts 11 11 Maintenance Records 11 13 Technical Data 12 1 Vehicle Identification 12 1 Vehicle Data 12 2 Customer Information 13 1 Customer Information 13 1 Reporting Safety Defects 13 17 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy 13 19 OnStar 14 1 OnStar Overview 14 1 OnStar Services 14 2 OnStar Additional Information 14 5 Index i 1 I n f o r m a t i o...

Page 3: ...urchase 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 copy of this manual c...

Page 4: ...ING 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 symbols instead of text Sy...

Page 5: ...ke 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 d Traction Control Electronic Stabi...

Page 6: ...Black plate 6 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 vi Introduction 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 7: ...or Lighting 1 12 Exterior Lighting 1 12 Windshield Wiper Washer 1 13 Climate Controls 1 14 Transmission 1 15 Vehicle Features Radio s 1 16 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 Control System TCS 1 20 Elect...

Page 8: ...Black plate 2 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 1 2 In Brief Instrument Panel I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 9: ...t of View M Horn on page 5 3 N Steering Wheel Controls on page 5 2 If Equipped O Ignition Positions on page 9 15 P Climate Control Systems on page 8 1 If Equipped Automatic Climate Control System on page 8 5 If Equipped Q Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6 4 R Shift Lever See Automatic Transmission on page 9 22 S Front Storage on page 4 2 Power Outlets on page 5 7 T Passenger Sensing System on page...

Page 10: ...ature the engine can be started from outside of the vehicle Starting the Vehicle 1 Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle 2 Press and release Q 3 Immediately after completing Step 2 press and hold until the turn signal lamps flash When the vehicle starts the parking lamps will turn on and remain on as long as the engine is running The doors will be locked and the climate control system may come on...

Page 11: ...ase To open the trunk from the outside press the trunk release button on the RKE transmitter Remote Trunk Release Press the button located on the driver door near the map pocket to open the trunk Close the trunk by pulling on the handle Emergency Trunk Release Handle There is a glow in the dark emergency trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the trunk latch This handle glows following e...

Page 12: ...g pull the front of the switch momentarily To raise the window pull and hold the front of the switch Express Up Window On windows with this feature pull the switch up to the second position and release 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 See Power Windows on page 2 16 Seat Adjustment Manual Seats Seat ...

Page 13: ...ift 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 seatback to the upright position 1 Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback will return to the upright position 2 Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked See ...

Page 14: ...up or down See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3 4 Seatback Adjustment To adjust a power seatback if equipped Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline Tilt the top of the control forward to raise See Power Reclining Seatbacks under Reclining Seatbacks on page 3 4 Lumbar Adjustment A Increase Lumbar Support Control B Decrease Lumbar Support Control If available press the front A or rear B of t...

Page 15: ...ear Seats on page 3 7 for more information Heated Seats If available press the top of the switch to turn the heat feature on to the high heat setting The indicator light 2 will be lit Press the top of the switch again to go to the low heat setting The indicator light 1 will be lit Press the bottom of the switch to turn the feature off The heated seats are canceled when the ignition is turned off F...

Page 16: ...ethers for Children LATCH System on page 3 38 Passenger Sensing System The passenger sensing system turns off the front outboard passenger frontal airbag and seat mounted side impact airbag under certain conditions No other airbag is affected by this The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started United States Canada and Mexico See Passeng...

Page 17: ...4 Interior Mirror Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it for a clearer view of behind your vehicle Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for nighttime use See Manual Rearview Mirror on page 2 14 Vehicles with an automatic dimming rearview mirror will automatically reduce the glare from the headlamps of the vehi...

Page 18: ...rhead console The rear reading lamps are near the dome lamp overhead near the rear passenger seats For vehicles with front and or 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 For more information on interior lighting see Instrument Panel Illumination Control on page 6 5 Entry Exit Lighting on page...

Page 19: ...urns the wipers off 3 For intermittent or speed sensitive operation While in this position turn the x band up or down to vary frequency The amount of delay time varies between wiping cycles due to the delay setting selected or the speed of the vehicle As vehicle speed is increased or decreased the wiper interval also increases or decreases 6 Slow wipes 1 Fast wipes 8 Use for a single wiping cycle ...

Page 20: ... In Brief 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 21: ...re Control See Automatic Climate Control System on page 8 5 If Equipped Transmission Driver Shift Control DSC This position allows you to change gears similar to a manual transmission To use this feature 1 Move the shift 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 o...

Page 22: ... Song title information will be displayed on the top line of the display while the artist information will be displayed on the bottom line if the information is available during XM CD MP3 or WMA playback When information is not available No Info displays For more information about these and other radio features see Infotainment on page 7 1 and Operation on page 7 2 Storing a Favorite Station Depen...

Page 23: ...instructions on setting the clock for your specific audio system see Clock on page 5 5 Satellite Radio XM is a satellite radio service based in the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces XM satellite radio has a wide variety of programming and commercial free music coast to coast and in digital quality sound A fee is required to receive the XM service For more information refer to w...

Page 24: ...cks on a CD or to select tracks and navigate folders on an iPod or USB device b g Press to silence the vehicle speakers only Press again 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 butto...

Page 25: ...formation 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 29 Power Outlets Accessory power outlets can be used to plug in e...

Page 26: ...Stability Control press and hold t until 4 and g illuminate and the appropriate DIC messages are displayed See Ride Control System Messages on page 5 26 Press and release the button again to turn on both systems For more information see Electronic Stability Control ESC on page 9 29 Tire Pressure Monitor This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System TPMS The TPMS warning light alerts you to ...

Page 27: ...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 button until the DIC display shows ACKNOWLEDGED 4 Turn ...

Page 28: ...7 or Roadside Assistance Program Mexico on page 13 9 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 assess your problem contact Roadside Assistance and relay your exact location to get the help you need Online Owner Center U S and Canada The Online Owner Center is a c...

Page 29: ... 8 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 Windows Windows 2 15 Pow...

Page 30: ...a bar coded key tag 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 locked out of your vehicle contact Roadside Assistance See Roadside Assistance Program U S and Canada on page 13 7 or Roadside Assistance Prog...

Page 31: ...e the remote start feature See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2 5 for additional information Q Lock Press to lock all the 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 ...

Page 32: ...h for 30 seconds Press L 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...

Page 33: ...ure 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 additional information Re...

Page 34: ... 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 15 for information regarding the ignition positions on your vehicle The remote vehicle start feature will not operate...

Page 35: ...come by extreme heat and can suffer permanent Continued WARNING Continued injuries or even death from heat stroke Always lock the vehicle whenever leaving 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 driv...

Page 36: ...r door lock switch a second time The theft deterrent system will arm after 30 seconds Automatic Door Locks 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...

Page 37: ... or liftgate Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide CO which cannot be seen or smelled It can cause unconsciousness and even death If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate or trunk hatch open Close all of the windows Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel Continued WARNING Continued Adjust the Climate Control System to a setting that brings in only outside air and set ...

Page 38: ...le 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 the trunk latch This ...

Page 39: ...urity 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 and the exterior light...

Page 40: ...ules and Industry Canada Standards RSS GEN 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 that matches an imm...

Page 41: ...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 the key is programme...

Page 42: ...oward the vehicle Push the mirror outward to return it to its original position Heated Mirrors For vehicles with heated mirrors 1 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 ve...

Page 43: ...oximately six seconds or until the indicator light turns off or on 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 chi...

Page 44: ...Programming the Power Windows If the battery on the vehicle has been recharged or 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 battery before reprogramming To program the driver window 1 With the ignition in ACC ACCESSORY or ON RUN or when Retained Accessory Power RAP is active close all door...

Page 45: ...ay 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 on an object in its path Use care when using the override mode Window Lockout The rear window lockout switch is on the driver door This feature prevents the rear passenger windows from operating except from the driver p...

Page 46: ... will retract when the sunroof is closed To close the sunroof press the front of the switch and hold it until the sunroof is closed The sunroof will stop if the switch is released Close the sunshade by hand The sunroof glass panel 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 n...

Page 47: ...rbag System 3 17 Where Are the Airbags 3 19 When Should an Airbag Inflate 3 21 What Makes an Airbag Inflate 3 22 How Does an Airbag Restrain 3 22 What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates 3 22 Passenger Sensing System 3 24 Servicing the Airbag Equipped Vehicle 3 28 Adding Equipment to the Airbag Equipped Vehicle 3 28 Airbag System Check 3 29 Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash 3 29 Child ...

Page 48: ...ad 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 top of the seatback an...

Page 49: ...en 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 the switch to raise ...

Page 50: ...the entire control up or down Lumbar Adjustment A Increase Lumbar Support Control B Decrease Lumbar Support Control If available press the front A or rear B of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support Release the control when the desired level of support is reached Reclining Seatbacks WARNING Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous Even when buckled ...

Page 51: ...sh a pedal when you do not want to Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving WARNING If either seatback 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 releas...

Page 52: ...ward to recline Tilt the top of the control forward to raise Heated Front Seats WARNING If you cannot feel temperature change or pain to the skin the seat heater may cause burns even at low temperatures To reduce the risk of burns people with such a condition should use care when using the seat heater especially for long periods of time Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat...

Page 53: ...f the seatback can be folded down for more cargo space Adjust the seatback only when the vehicle is not moving Notice Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat To fold the seatback down 1 Make sure the front seatback is not recl...

Page 54: ... lock it into place 2 Push and pull the top of the seatback to be sure it is locked into position 3 Make sure that the safety belts are properly stowed over the seatback in all three seating positions When the seat is not in use it should be kept in the upright locked position Safety Belts This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly It also describes some things not to do...

Page 55: ...stops you It could be the windshield the instrument panel or the safety belts When you wear a safety belt you and the vehicle slow down together There is more time to stop because you stop over a longer distance and when worn properly your strongest bones take the forces from the safety belts That is why wearing safety belts makes such good sense Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q Will I b...

Page 56: ...ety belt properly Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you Always use the correct buckle for your seating position Wear the lap part of the belt low and snug on the hips just touching the thighs In a crash this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt If you slid under it the belt would apply force on your abdom...

Page 57: ...nlock it Then pull the belt across you more slowly If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way the child restraint locking feature may be engaged If this happens just let the belt go back all the way and start again Engaging the child restraint locking feature in the right front seating position may affect the passenger sensing system See Passenger Sensing System on page ...

Page 58: ... to its stowed position Slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing when the safety belt is not in use The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt near the guide loop on the side wall Before a door is closed be sure the safety belt is out of the way If a door is slammed against a safety belt damage can occur to both the safety belt and the vehicle Shoulder Belt Height Adju...

Page 59: ...l and near frontal crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met And if the vehicle has side impact airbags safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash Pretensioners work only once If they activate in a crash they will need to be replaced and probably other new parts for the vehicle s safety belt system See Replacing Safety Belt System Parts ...

Page 60: ... 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 insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide 3 Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 61: ...lt can be removed from the guide Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip and then slide the guide onto the clip Turn the guide and clip inward and slide them in between the seatback and the interior body leaving only the loop of the elastic cord exposed Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone including pregnant women Like all occupants they are more likely to be se...

Page 62: ... repaired Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash They can rip apart under impact forces If a belt is torn or frayed get a new one right away Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working See Safety Belt Reminders on page 5 12 for more information Keep safety belts clean and dry See Safety Belt Care on page 3 16 Safety Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry WARNING Do not blea...

Page 63: ...d passenger A roof rail airbag for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver A roof rail airbag for the front outboard passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the front outboard passenger All vehicle airbags have the word AIRBAG in the trim or on a label near the deployment opening For frontal airbags the word AIRBAG is on the center of the steering wheel for the dr...

Page 64: ...ag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed Do not sit unnecessarily close to any airbag as you would be if 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 Occupants should not lean on...

Page 65: ...tem checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions The light tells you if there is an electrical problem See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5 12 for more information Where Are the Airbags The driver frontal airbag is in the center of the steering wheel The front outboard passenger frontal airbag is in the passenger side instrument panel I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 66: ... an airbag the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury 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 that block the inflation path of a s...

Page 67: ...icle has electronic frontal sensors which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact For moderate frontal impacts dual stage airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment For more severe frontal impacts full deployment occurs The vehicle has seat mounted side impact and roof rail airbags See Airbag System on page 3 17 Seat mounted ...

Page 68: ...help in many types of collisions primarily because the occupant s motion is not toward those airbags See When Should an Airbag Inflate on page 3 21 for more information Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates After the frontal airbags and seat mounted side impact airbags inflate they quickly deflate so quickly t...

Page 69: ...gs may have also damaged important functions in the vehicle such as the fuel system brake and steering systems etc Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after a moderate crash there may be concealed damage that could make it difficult to safely operate the vehicle Use caution if you should attempt to restart the engine after a crash has occurred In many crashes severe enough to inflate the ai...

Page 70: ... front outboard passenger frontal airbag and seat mounted side impact airbag under certain conditions No other airbag is affected by the passenger sensing system The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the front outboard passenger seat The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the front outboard passenger frontal airbag ...

Page 71: ...r seat always move the seat as far back as it will go It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the front outboard passenger airbag and seat mounted side impact airbag if The front outboard passenger seat is unoccupied The system determines that an infant is present in a rear facing infant seat The system determines that a small ...

Page 72: ...lp avoid injury to yourself or others have the vehicle serviced right away See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5 12 for more information including important safety information If the On Indicator Is Lit for a Child Restraint If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit 1 Turn the vehicle off 2 Remove the child restraint from the vehicle 3 Remove any additional items from the ...

Page 73: ...the seat cushion with legs comfortably extended 5 Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for two to three minutes after the on indicator is lit Additional Factors Affecting System Operation Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking which helps the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger airbag status See Safet...

Page 74: ... procedures and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so Adding Equipment to the Airbag Equipped Vehicle Adding accessories that change the vehicle s frame bumper system height front end or side sheet metal may keep the airbag system from working properly The operation of the airbag system can also be affected by changing or moving any parts of the front seats safety belt...

Page 75: ... System Check The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled maintenance or replacement Make sure the airbag readiness light is working See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5 12 for more information Notice If an airbag covering is damaged opened or broken the airbag may not work properly Do not open or break the airbag coverings If there are any opened or broken airbag covers have the airbag co...

Page 76: ...tions that come with the booster seat state the weight and height limitations for that booster Use a booster seat with a lap shoulder belt until the child passes the fit test below Sit all the way back on the seat Do the knees bend at the seat edge If yes continue If no return to the booster seat Buckle the lap shoulder belt Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder If yes continue If no try usi...

Page 77: ...Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides under Lap Shoulder Belt on page 3 11 According to accident statistics children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position In a crash children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up or can be thrown out of the vehicle Older children need to use saf...

Page 78: ...be restrained while in a vehicle WARNING Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children 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 Neith...

Page 79: ...o better to secure a forward facing child restraint in a rear seat If you must secure a forward facing child restraint in the right front seat always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go Q What are the different types of add on child restraints A Add on child restraints which are purchased by the vehicle owner are available in four basic types Selection of a particular restraint...

Page 80: ...ash forces can be Continued WARNING Continued distributed across the strongest part of an infant s body the back and shoulders Infants should always be secured in rear facing child restraints 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 ...

Page 81: ...jured 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 restraint systems must...

Page 82: ...ortation office Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint WARNING A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint Secure the child properly following the instructions that came with that child restraint Where to Put the Restraint According to accident statistics children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child ...

Page 83: ...n seating positions better than others Always make sure the child restraint is properly secured Depending on where you place the child restraint and the size of the child restraint you may not be able to access adjacent safety belt assemblies or LATCH anchors for additional passengers or child restraints Adjacent seating positions should not be used if the child restraint prevents access to or int...

Page 84: ...int that are made for use with the LATCH system Make sure that a LATCH compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors or use the vehicle s safety belts to secure the restraint following the instructions that came with that restraint and also the instructions in this manual When installing a child restraint with a top tether you must also use either the lower anchors or the safe...

Page 85: ...e The top tether attachment B on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash Your child restraint 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 desig...

Page 86: ...shion To assist in locating the top tether anchors the top tether anchor symbol is on the cover The top tether anchors are under the covers behind the rear seat on the filler panel Be sure to use an anchor 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 ...

Page 87: ...re than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash A child or others could be injured To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash 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...

Page 88: ... Seat Lower Anchors C Driver Side Rear Seat Lower Anchors Make sure to attach the child restraint at the proper anchor location 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 ancho...

Page 89: ... 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 seatback If the position ...

Page 90: ... 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 attempt to move it side to...

Page 91: ...compatible with this vehicle If the child restraint has the LATCH system see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children LATCH System on page 3 38 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 38 for top tether anchor locations Do n...

Page 92: ...ulder 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 lock is set the bel...

Page 93: ...t 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 tether is attached to a top tether anchor disconnect it Securing Child Restraints Front Passenger Seat T...

Page 94: ... 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 24 for additional information If the child restraint has the LATCH system see Lower Anchors and Tethers...

Page 95: ...airbag the off indicator on the passenger 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...

Page 96: ...ng 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 on and stay on when t...

Page 97: ...ditional Storage Features Convenience Net 4 4 Storage Compartments Instrument Panel Storage An instrument panel storage area 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 98: ...t up and rearward To reinstall place the two forward tabs into the slots and push down on the rear of the cupholder For vehicles with rear seat cupholders access them by pulling down on the door at the back of the center console It has a storage tray and removable cupholders Front Storage Storage is available in front of the shift lever Open it by pushing on the bottom of the door I n f o r m a t ...

Page 99: ...y and a main storage area Pull up on the latch A to access the tray Pull up on the latch B to access the main storage It is equipped with a removable divider There may be a storage pocket 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 addi...

Page 100: ...age Push down on the cover handle A and then forward to access the storage area Additional Storage Features Convenience Net Use the rear convenience net to store small items The net should not be used to store heavy loads I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 101: ... 17 Traction Off Light 5 18 Electronic Stability Control ESC Off Light 5 18 Electronic Stability Control ESC Traction Control System TCS Indicator Warning Light 5 19 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light 5 19 Tire Pressure Light 5 20 Engine Oil Pressure Light 5 20 Security Light 5 21 High Beam On Light 5 21 Cruise Control Light 5 21 Information Displays Driver Information Center DIC 5 22 Vehicl...

Page 102: ...trols can be adjusted at the steering wheel e e Volume Press to increase or to decrease the radio volume w or 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 to go to the next or previous radio station stored as a preset Press and hold w or x c to go to the n...

Page 103: ...kers only Press again to turn the sound on b g Voice Recognition 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 page 7 23 and OnStar Overview on page 14 1 for more information Horn Press a on the steering wheel pad to sound the horn Windshield Wiper Washer The windshield wiper lever is on the right side o...

Page 104: ...l 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 resume the previous speed Compass Compass Operation Press O on the rearview mirror to turn the compass display on or off W...

Page 105: ... 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 knob to turn the radi...

Page 106: ...ess 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 automatically display To see t...

Page 107: ...e 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 Electrical Equipment on pag...

Page 108: ...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 there could be a pr...

Page 109: ...Black plate 9 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Instruments and Controls 5 9 Instrument Cluster English shown Metric similar I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 110: ...l 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 Tachometer The tachometer display...

Page 111: ...s 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 little more or less than half the fuel tank s capacity to fill it The indicator moves a little while turning a corner or speeding up The gauge goes back to empty when the ignition is turned off Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge Me...

Page 112: ...y belt The passenger safety belt light flashes and then stays on solid until the belt is buckled This cycle continues several times if the passenger remains or becomes unbuckled while the vehicle is moving If the passenger safety belt is buckled neither the chime nor the light comes on The passenger safety belt reminder light and chime may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a briefcas...

Page 113: ...Indicator The vehicle has a passenger sensing system See Passenger Sensing System on page 3 24 for important safety information The instrument panel has a passenger airbag status indicator United States Canada and Mexico When the vehicle is started the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off for several seconds as a system check If you are using remote ...

Page 114: ...ning as a check to show it is working If it does not have the vehicle serviced by your dealer The light should go out once the engine starts If it stays on or comes on while driving there could be a problem with the charging system This light could indicate that there are problems with a generator drive belt or that there is an electrical problem Have it checked right away If the vehicle must be d...

Page 115: ...sories and Modifications on page 10 3 This light comes on during a malfunction in one of two ways Light Flashing A misfire condition has been detected A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle Diagnosis and service might be required To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle Reduce vehicle speed Avoid hard accelerations Avoid steep uphill ...

Page 116: ...trol equipment For the inspection the emission system test equipment is connected to the vehicle s Data Link 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 O...

Page 117: ...rake 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 25 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 may go closer to the floor It may take longer to stop Try turning off and restarting the ve...

Page 118: ... see Brake System Messages on page 5 25 for all brake related DIC messages Traction Off Light This light comes on briefly while starting the engine If it does not have the vehicle serviced by your dealer If the system is working normally the indicator light then turns off The traction off light comes on when the Traction Control System TCS has been turned off by pressing and releasing the traction...

Page 119: ...lly the ESC system have been disabled A DIC message may display Check the DIC messages to determine which feature s is no longer functioning and whether the vehicle requires service If the indicator warning light is on and flashing the TCS and or the StabiliTrak system is actively working See Traction Control System TCS on page 9 27 and Electronic Stability Control ESC on page 9 29 for more inform...

Page 120: ...he Light Flashes First and Then Is On Steady If the light flashes for about a minute and then stays on there may be a problem with the TPMS If the problem is not corrected the light will come on at every ignition cycle See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10 48 for more information Engine Oil Pressure Light Notice Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can damage the engine Driving with the ...

Page 121: ...ff The light will flash rapidly if the alarm system is arming and one or more of the monitored entry points is not closed The light will stay on if the alarm is arming and all entry points are closed For information regarding this light and the vehicle s security system see Anti theft Alarm System on page 2 11 High Beam On Light The high beam on light comes on when the high beam headlamps are in u...

Page 122: ...ays r Reset Press this button to reset some vehicle information mode displays select a personalization menu mode setting or acknowledge a warning message Press and hold the information and reset buttons at the same time for one second then release the buttons to enter the personalization menu See Vehicle Personalization on page 5 29 for more information The DIC comes on when the ignition is on The...

Page 123: ...trip odometer to zero press and hold the reset button for a few seconds while the desired trip odometer is displayed FUEL RANGE Press the information button until FUEL RANGE displays This mode shows the remaining distance you can drive without refueling in either kilometers km or miles mi It is based on fuel economy and the fuel remaining in the tank When the fuel level is low FUEL RANGE LOW displ...

Page 124: ...eset after an oil change It alerts you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life additional maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual See Engine Oil on page 10 8 and Maintenance Schedule on page 11 3 Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil change See How to Reset...

Page 125: ...em serviced by your dealer as soon as possible PUSH PARK PEDAL This message displays if the parking brake is left engaged See Parking Brake on page 9 26 for more information Cruise Control Messages CRUISE ENGAGED This message displays when the cruise control system is active See Cruise Control on page 9 31 for more information Door Ajar Messages DOOR AJAR This message displays if one or more of th...

Page 126: ...his message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel Refill the fuel tank as soon as possible See Fuel Gauge on page 5 10 Fuel on page 9 33 and Filling the Tank on page 9 37 for more information Key and Lock Messages KEY FOB BATT Battery LOW This message displays if the Remote Keyless Entry RKE transmitter battery is low Replace the battery in the transmitter See Battery Replacement under Remote ...

Page 127: ... Control System TCS this message displays and the ESC TCS light on the instrument panel cluster flashes when the system is actively limiting wheel spin Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is displayed so adjust your driving accordingly This message stays on for a few seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin See Traction Control System TCS on page 9 27 and Electronic Stabil...

Page 128: ...displays and the ESC TCS light on the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the system is turned off Adjust your driving accordingly See Traction Control System TCS on page 9 27 and Electronic Stability Control ESC Traction Control System TCS Indicator Warning Light on page 5 19 for more information Airbag System Messages SERVICE AIR BAG This message displays when there is a problem with th...

Page 129: ...5 22 Vehicle Reminder Messages ICE POSSIBLE This message displays when the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions Adjust your driving accordingly Washer Fluid Messages LOW WASHER FLUID This message displays when the vehicle s windshield washer fluid is low Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir to the proper level as soon as possible See Washer Fluid on page 10 19...

Page 130: ...ay the vehicle information When UNITS appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings ENGLISH default in United States All information will be displayed in English units METRIC default in Canada All information will be displayed in metric units To select a setting and move on to the next feature press the information button wh...

Page 131: ...nd hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings OFF default The horn will not chirp when the unlock button on the RKE transmitter is pressed ON The horn will chirp on the first press of the unlock button on the RKE transmitter See Remote Keyless Entry RKE System Operation on page 2 3 for more information To select a setting and move on to the next feature ...

Page 132: ...a setting and move on to the next feature press the information button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC AUTO UNLK Unlock This feature which allows the vehicle to automatically unlock certain doors can be enabled or disabled When AUTO UNLK appears on the display press and hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll through the available settings ALL default All of the d...

Page 133: ... the unlock button on the RKE transmitter is pressed See Remote Keyless Entry RKE System Operation on page 2 3 for more information To select a setting and move on to the next feature press the information button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC LANGUAGE This feature allows you to select the language in which the DIC will display When LANGUAGE appears on the display press and hold...

Page 134: ...Black plate 34 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 5 34 Instruments and Controls 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 135: ...ior Lighting Instrument Panel Illumination Control 6 5 Dome Lamps 6 6 Reading Lamps 6 6 Lighting Features Entry Exit Lighting 6 6 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 following four positi...

Page 136: ...nel 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 headlamps come on th...

Page 137: ...elay in the transition between the daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the automatic headlamp systems so that driving under bridges 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 ...

Page 138: ...lamps flash on and off This warns others that you are having trouble Press again to turn the flashers off Turn and Lane Change Signals An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes in the direction of the turn or lane change Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change Release the lever and the turn signa...

Page 139: ...y turn on and off when the fog lamps are turned on and off The fog lamps turn off while the high beam headlamps are turned on Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps Interior Lighting Instrument Panel Illumination Control The knob for this control is located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering column D Instrument Panel Brightness Turn ...

Page 140: ... horn symbol is pressed on the Remote Keyless Entry RKE system transmitter The lamps inside the vehicle stay on for about 20 seconds after the key is removed from the ignition to provide light as you exit Parade Dimming Parade dimming is a separate lighting mode that comes on while the parking lamps are turned on during the day It prevents the display lights and indicator lights from being dim whi...

Page 141: ... the highest levels of corrective action this action may be noticeable to the driver If so a DIC message might be displayed such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW or LOW BATTERY If one of these messages displays it is recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads as much as possible See Driver Information Center DIC on page 5 22 Battery Power Protection The vehicle has a batter...

Page 142: ...Black plate 8 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 6 8 Lighting 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 143: ...ccess to many audio and non audio listings To minimize taking your eyes off the road while driving do the following while the vehicle is parked Become familiar with the operation and controls of the audio system Set up the tone speaker adjustments and preset radio stations For more information see Defensive Driving on page 9 2 Notice Contact your dealer before adding any equipment Adding audio or ...

Page 144: ...AP With RAP the audio system can be played even after the ignition is turned off See Retained Accessory Power RAP on page 9 18 for more information Theft Deterrent Feature TheftLock is designed to discourage theft of the vehicle s radio by learning a portion of the Vehicle Identification Number VIN The radio does not operate if it is stolen or moved to a different vehicle Operation Radio with CD B...

Page 145: ... 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 as the vehicle speeds up or slows down so that the volume level is consistent To activat...

Page 146: ...e 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 softkey under the desired tab 3 Adjust the setting by doing one of the following Turn the f knob...

Page 147: ...ADE 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 Press the softkey under the desired tab 3 Adjust the setting by doing one of the following Turn the f knob clockwise or counterclockwise Press the SEEK or SEEK button Press the FWD or s REV button To q...

Page 148: ...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 to display the radio setup menu 2 Press the softkey under AUTO TXT tab on the radio display 3 Press the softkey under the ON or OFF tab on the radio display If 4 is pressed ...

Page 149: ...tation while the vehicle is parked see Defensive Driving on page 9 2 Tune to stored radio stations using the presets favorites button and steering wheel controls if the vehicle has this feature Radios that have a FAV button store radio stations as favorites up to 36 stations can be programmed as favorites using the six softkeys below the radio station frequency tabs and by using the FAV button Pre...

Page 150: ...Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming and commercial free music coast to coast and in digital quality sound A service fee is required to receive the XM service If XM Service needs to be reactivated the radio will display No Subscription Please Renew on channel XM1 For more information contact XM at www xmradio com or call 1 800 929 2100 in the U S and www xmradio ca or call 1 877 438 9...

Page 151: ...tegory FWD Press to go to the next XM category Finding a Category CAT Channel To find XM channels in a category 1 Press the CAT button to display the category tabs Continue pressing the CAT button until the desired category name displays Radios with CD and DVD can also navigate the category list by pressing the FWD or the s REV button 2 Press either of the two softkeys below the desired category t...

Page 152: ...ay the page where the station will be stored 3 Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep sounds 4 Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to store additional radio stations The number of favorites 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...

Page 153: ...tion Please Renew XM subscription needs to be reactivated Contact XM at www xmradio com or 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 receiv...

Page 154: ...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 Just as with FM tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals causing the sound to fade in and out In addition traveling or standing under heavy foliage bridges garages or tunnels may cause loss of the ...

Page 155: ...ass 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 located on the roof of the vehicle Keep the antenna clear of obstructions for clear radio reception Audio Players CD Player Some CD players can play MP3 CD R or CD RW discs see MP3 later in this section for more information Th...

Page 156: ...ame 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 the track number displays If the ignition or radio is turned off when a CD is in the player the CD stays in the p...

Page 157: ...elow 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 tab until Random Current Disc displays 2 Press the softkey again to turn off random play MP3 Supported Files The Radio with CD MP3 Radio with USB and CD MP3 have the capability of playing an MP3 CD R or CD RW disc The radio ca...

Page 158: ...through all tracks in each playlist When the last track of the last playlist has played play continues from 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 playback starts from a new fo...

Page 159: ...sequential order To use random 1 Press the softkey under the RDM tab until Random Current Disc displays to play songs from the current CD in random order 2 Press the same softkey again to turn off random play h Music Navigator Press the softkey below h to have the files played in order by artist or album The player scans the disc to sort the files by artist and album ID3 tag information It can tak...

Page 160: ... caught in the CD player If the disc is not playing correctly for any other reason try a known good disc If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected contact your dealer If the radio displays an error message write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem Auxiliary Devices This vehicle may have a 3 5 mm 1 8 in auxiliary input jack and a USB port located...

Page 161: ...plate Radios that have a USB port can play mp3 and wma files that are stored on a USB storage device as well as tracks that are stored on an iPod USB Supported File and Folder Structure The radio supports Up to 700 folders Up to eight folders in depth Up to 65 535 files Folder and file names up to 64 bytes Files with an mp3 or wma file extension AAC files stored on an iPod FAT16 FAT32 Root Directo...

Page 162: ...ect a USB storage device connect the device to the USB port located on the front of the radio To connect an iPod connect one end of the USB cable that came with the iPod to the iPod s dock connector and connect the other end to the USB port located on the front of the radio If the vehicle is on and the USB connection works OK to disconnect and a GM logo may appear on the iPod and iPod appears on t...

Page 163: ... being used Press the softkey below j again to resume playback Back Press the softkey below the back tab to go back to the main display screen on an iPod or the root directory on a USB storage device c Folder View Press the softkey below c to view the contents of the current folder on the USB drive To browse and select files 1 Press the softkey below c 2 Turn f to scroll through the list of folder...

Page 164: ...Press the softkey below to repeat all tracks The tab appears lowered when Repeat All is being used This is the default mode when a USB storage device or iPod is first connected Repeat Track Press the softkey below to repeat one track The tab appears raised when Repeat Track is being used Press the softkey below 2 C or to select between Shuffle Off Shuffle All Songs Shuffle Songs Shuffle Album or S...

Page 165: ...ormation See Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers in this section for more information WARNING When using a cell phone it can be distracting to look too long or too often at the screen of the phone or the infotainment navigation system Taking your eyes off the road too long or too often could cause a crash resulting in injury or death Focus your attention on driving A Bluetooth system can use a Blue...

Page 166: ...ng A Bluetooth cell phone must be paired to the Bluetooth system and then connected to the vehicle before it can be used See your cell phone manufacturers user guide for Bluetooth functions before pairing the cell phone If a Bluetooth phone is not connected calls will be made using OnStar Hands Free Calling if available See OnStar Overview on page 14 1 for more information Pairing Information A Bl...

Page 167: ...l Paired and Connected Phones The system can list all cell phones paired to it If a paired cell phone is also connected to the vehicle the system responds with is connected after that phone name 1 Press and hold b g for two seconds 2 Say Bluetooth 3 Say List Deleting a Paired Phone If the phone name you want to delete is unknown see Listing All Paired and Connected Phones 1 Press and hold b g for ...

Page 168: ... once with no pauses then follow the directions given by the system to save a name tag for this number Using the Digit Store Command If an unwanted number is recognized by the system say Clear at any time to 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 Store 3 Say each digit one at a time that you ...

Page 169: ...nected the person called will be heard through the audio speakers Using the Digit Dial Command The digit dial command allows a phone number to be dialed by entering the digits one at a time After each digit is entered the system repeats back the digit it heard followed by a tone If an unwanted number is recognized by the system say Clear at any time to clear the last number To hear all of the numb...

Page 170: ...hile on a call press b g 2 Say Three way call 3 Use the dial or call command to dial the number of the third party to be called 4 Once the call is connected press b g to link all the callers together Ending a Call Press x c to end a call Muting a Call During a call all sounds from inside the vehicle can be muted so that the person on the other end of the call cannot hear them To mute a call press ...

Page 171: ...s The Bluetooth system can send numbers and the numbers stored as 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 ...

Page 172: ...Black plate 30 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 7 30 Infotainment System 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 173: ...tomatic 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 174: ... 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 If the air condition...

Page 175: ... 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 recirculation mode P...

Page 176: ...km h 50 mph the rear window defogger remains on once the button is pressed If the vehicle 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...

Page 177: ...tivate 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 conditioning compressor...

Page 178: ...nd changes the fan to the selected speed Manual Operation o 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 counterclockwise to increase o...

Page 179: ...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 the vehicle The out...

Page 180: ...d For vehicles with heated outside mirrors the surface of the outside mirrors will 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 warr...

Page 181: ...d 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 vehicle through the venti...

Page 182: ...Black plate 10 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 8 10 Climate Controls 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 183: ...s That Burn 9 20 Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust 9 21 Running the Vehicle While Parked 9 21 Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission 9 22 Manual Mode 9 23 Brakes Antilock Brake System ABS 9 25 Parking Brake 9 26 Brake Assist 9 26 Ride Control Systems Traction Control System TCS 9 27 Electronic Stability Control ESC 9 29 Cruise Control Cruise Control 9 31 Fuel Fuel 9 33 Recommended Fuel 9 34 Gas...

Page 184: ...ng such as programming favorite radio stations and adjusting climate control and seat settings Program all trip information into any navigation device prior to driving Wait until the vehicle is parked to retrieve items that have fallen to the floor Stop or park the vehicle to tend to children Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or restraint Avoid stressful conversations while driving whether with ...

Page 185: ...al is perception time Actually doing it is reaction time Average driver reaction time is about three quarters of a second In that time a vehicle moving at 100 km h 60 mph travels 20 m 66 ft which could be a lot of distance in an emergency Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you Avoid needless heavy braking Keep pace with traffic...

Page 186: ...n normal when parking or driving slowly there may be a problem with the system You will still have power steering but steering will be stiffer than normal at slow speeds See your dealer for service Hydraulic Power Steering If your vehicle has hydraulic power steering it may require maintenance See Power Steering Fluid on page 10 19 If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops or the p...

Page 187: ... a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force Acceleration Skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions and by not overdriving those conditions But skids are always possible If the vehicle starts to slide follow these suggestions Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer...

Page 188: ... or a car vehicle wash lightly apply the brake pedal until the brakes work normally Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces Driving through flowing water could cause the vehicle to be carried away If this happens you and other vehicle occupants could drown Do not ignore police warnings and be very cautious about trying to drive through flowing water Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous Wa...

Page 189: ...and in good shape Check all fluid levels and brakes tires cooling system and transmission Shift to a lower gear when going down steep or long hills WARNING If you do not shift down the brakes could get so hot that they would not work well You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill You could crash Shift down to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope WARNING ...

Page 190: ...u accelerate too fast the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more The Antilock Brake System ABS on page 9 25 improves vehicle stability during hard stops on slippery roads but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement Allow greater following distance on any slippery road and watch for slippery spots Icy patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded ar...

Page 191: ...noxide see Engine Exhaust on page 9 21 Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep warm but be careful To save fuel run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold Moving about to keep warm also helps...

Page 192: ...tor pedal when the transmission is in gear Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that could free the vehicle If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries it might need to be towed out If the vehicle does need to be towed out see Towing the Vehicle on page 10 79 Vehicle Load Limits It is very important to know how much weight the vehicle ...

Page 193: ... see Tires on page 10 38 and Tire Pressure on page 10 45 There is also important loading information on the Certification label It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR and the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR for the front and rear axle See Certification Label later in this section Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1 Locate the statement The combined weight of occupants and cargo sho...

Page 194: ...sferred to your vehicle Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle See Trailer Towing on page 9 42 for important information on towing a trailer towing safety rules and trailering tips Example 1 A Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 453 kg 1 000 lbs B Subtract Occupant Weight 68 kg 150 lbs 2 136 kg 300 lbs C Available Occupant ...

Page 195: ...de center pillar B pillar The label tells the gross weight capacity of the vehicle called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle all occupants fuel and cargo Never exceed the GVWR for the vehicle or the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR for either the front or rear axle And if there is a heavy load it should be spread out See Steps for Determining Correct Load...

Page 196: ...ry to spread the weight evenly Continued WARNING Continued Never stack heavier things like suitcases inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats Do not leave an unsecured child restraint in the vehicle Secure loose items in the vehicle Do not leave a seat folded down unless needed Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break In Notice The vehicle does not need an elaborate ...

Page 197: ... Park the ignition must be in ON RUN or ACC ACCESSORY and the brake pedal must be applied Notice Using a tool to force the key to turn in the ignition could cause damage to the switch or break the key Use the correct key make sure it is all the way in and turn it only with your hand If the key cannot be turned by hand see your dealer 9 STOPPING THE ENGINE LOCK OFF When the vehicle is stopped turn ...

Page 198: ...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 service ACC ACC ACCESSORY This position lets you use things like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine is not running R ON RUN This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display som...

Page 199: ... 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 motor and drain the ba...

Page 200: ...d on the driver side around the battery box See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 5 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 overheat and cause a fire You could be seriously injured Plug the cord into a properly grounded three prong 110 volt AC outlet If the cord will not re...

Page 201: ...on on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle 3 Turn the ignition key to LOCK OFF 4 Remove the key and take it with you If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand the vehicle is in P Park Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine Running WARNING It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running The vehicle could move sud...

Page 202: ...shift lever button fully released Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P Park unless the ignition is in ON RUN or ACC ACCESSORY and the brake pedal is applied The shift lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage less than 9 volt battery If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage try charging or jump starting the battery See ...

Page 203: ...ations that are not completely sealed If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected that exhaust is coming into the vehicle Drive it only with the windows completely down Have the vehicle repaired immediately Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed area such as a garage or a building that has no fresh air ventilation Running the Vehicle While Parked It is better not to ...

Page 204: ...ic Transmission The automatic transmission has a shift lever located on the console between the seats P Park This position locks the front wheels It is the best position to use when you start the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily WARNING It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P Park with the parking brake firmly set The vehicle can roll Do not leav...

Page 205: ...nly Also use N Neutral when the vehicle is being towed WARNING Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal the vehicle could move very rapidly You could lose control and hit people or objects Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed Notice Shifting out of P Park or N Neutral with the...

Page 206: ...er or engine braking The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate 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 St...

Page 207: ...r 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 foot up to the brak...

Page 208: ...age 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 39 Brake Assist This vehicle has a brake assist feature designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving conditions This fe...

Page 209: ...ly disengage The cruise control may be re engaged when road conditions allow See Cruise Control on page 9 31 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 26 for more information The Traction Control System is automatically enabled whene...

Page 210: ...CE ESC and or SERVICE TRACTION messages are displayed the differential 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 ...

Page 211: ...the vehicle reaches 32 km h 20 mph If the system fails to turn on or activate the ESC TCS light will be on solid and the ESC OFF or SERVICE ESC message will be displayed For more information see Ride Control System Messages on page 5 26 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 norm...

Page 212: ...ESC OFF messages will appear on the DIC It is recommended to leave the system on for normal driving conditions but it may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand mud ice or snow and you want to rock the vehicle to attempt to free it It may also be necessary to turn off the system when driving in extreme off road conditions where high wheel spin is required See If the Ve...

Page 213: ...ility Control ESC on page 9 29 When road conditions allow the cruise control can be used again WARNING Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed So do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads On such roads fast changes in tire traction can cause excessive wheel slip and you could lose con...

Page 214: ... km h 25 mph or greater press the RES button on the steering wheel The vehicle returns to the previously set speed and stays there Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control If the cruise control system is already activated Press and hold the RES button on the steering wheel until the desired speed is reached then release it To increase the vehicle speed in small amounts press the RES button brie...

Page 215: ...y by pressing the I button or if the ignition is turned off Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets enhanced detergency standard...

Page 216: ...r higher as soon as possible If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher the engine needs service Gasoline Specifications U S and Canada Only At a minimum gasoline should meet ASTM specification D 4814 in the United States or CAN CGSB 3 5 or 3 511 in Canada Some gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl MMT We...

Page 217: ...t of marketers providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found at www toptiergas com For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly one bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change can help clean deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors...

Page 218: ...cation 3 512 Filling the tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM or CGSB specifications can affect driveability and could cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on As the outside temperature approaches freezing ethanol fuel distributors should supply winter grade ethanol the same as with unleaded gasoline It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85 If you do switch ...

Page 219: ...open Turn the tethered fuel cap counterclockwise to remove If the vehicle has E85 fuel capability the fuel cap will be yellow and state that E85 or gasoline can be used See Fuel E85 85 Ethanol on page 9 36 While refueling hang the tethered fuel cap from the hook on the fuel door Reinstall the cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks If the cap is not properly installed the Malfunction Indicator...

Page 220: ...4 Filling a Portable Fuel Container WARNING Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the fuel vapor You can be badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this occurs To help avoid injury to you and others Dispense fuel only into approved containers Continued WARNING Continued Do not fill a container while it is inside a...

Page 221: ...r the vehicle is not driven properly For example if the trailer is too heavy the brakes may not work well or even at all The driver and passengers could be seriously injured The vehicle may also be damaged the resulting repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Pull a trailer only if all the steps in this section have been followed Ask your dealer for advice and information about towing...

Page 222: ...e vehicle is now longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself Check all trailer hitch parts and attachments safety chains electrical connectors lamps tires and mirror adjustments If the trailer has electric brakes start the vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working During the trip check regularly to be sure that the...

Page 223: ...sh telling other drivers the vehicle is turning changing lanes or stopping When towing a trailer the arrows on the instrument panel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out Check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working Driving on Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting down a long or steep downgrade If the transmission is not shifted...

Page 224: ... pedal 2 Start the engine 3 Shift into a gear 4 Release the parking brake 5 Let up on the brake pedal 6 Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks 7 Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks Maintenance When Trailer Towing The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a trailer See this manual s Maintenance Schedule or Index for more information Things that are especially i...

Page 225: ... weight Ask your dealer for trailering information or advice or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices See Customer Assistance Offices U S and Canada on page 13 4 or Customer Assistance Offices Mexico on page 13 5 for more information Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load A of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total gross weight of the vehicle The Gro...

Page 226: ...t Use only a frame mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper Will any holes be made in the body of the vehicle when the trailer hitch is installed If there are seal the holes when the hitch is removed If the holes are not sealed dirt water and deadly carbon monoxide CO from the exhaust can get into the vehicle See Engine Exhaust on page 9 21 Safety Chains Always attach chains between the ve...

Page 227: ...mage would not be covered by the vehicle s warranty Some add on electrical equipment can keep other components from working as they should Add on equipment can drain the vehicle s 12 volt battery even if the vehicle is not operating The vehicle has an airbag system Before attempting to add anything electrical to the vehicle see Servicing the Airbag Equipped Vehicle on page 3 28 and Adding Equipmen...

Page 228: ...Black plate 46 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 9 46 Driving and Operating 2 NOTES I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 229: ... Check 10 23 Ignition Transmission Lock Check 10 24 Park Brake and P Park Mechanism Check 10 24 Wiper Blade Replacement 10 24 Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming 10 25 Bulb Replacement Bulb Replacement 10 25 Halogen Bulbs 10 25 Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LS and LT 10 26 Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LTZ 10 27 Back Up Lamps 10 28 License Plate Lamp 10 29 Replacement Bulbs 10 30 Electrica...

Page 230: ...nt and Compressor Kit 10 60 Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 66 Tire Changing 10 66 Compact Spare Tire 10 75 Jump Starting Jump Starting 10 76 Towing Towing the Vehicle 10 79 Recreational Vehicle Towing 10 80 Appearance Care Exterior Care 10 82 Interior Care 10 85 Floor Mats 10 87 General Information For service and parts needs visit your dealer You will receive genuine GM parts and ...

Page 231: ...ler accessories or making modifications 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 antilock brakes traction control and stability control These accessories or modifications could even cause malfunction or damage not covered by the vehicle warranty...

Page 232: ... own service work see Servicing the Airbag Equipped Vehicle on page 3 28 Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work performed See Maintenance Records on page 11 13 Hood To open the hood 1 Pull the hood release handle with this symbol on it It is located inside the vehicle to the left of the steering column 2 Then go to the front of the vehicle and p...

Page 233: ...Black plate 5 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Vehicle Care 10 5 Engine Compartment Overview 2 4 L L4 Engine I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 234: ...l Dipstick Out of View See Checking Engine Oil under Engine Oil on page 10 8 E Engine Coolant Surge Tank See Engine Coolant on page 10 14 F Pressure Cap See Cooling System on page 10 13 G Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir See Brake Fluid under Brakes on page 10 20 H Battery on page 10 22 I Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir See Adding Washer Fluid under Washer Fluid on page 10 19 J See Engine Compart...

Page 235: ...Black plate 7 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Vehicle Care 10 7 3 6 L V6 Engine I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 236: ...r Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10 12 J See Battery on page 10 22 K Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 10 31 L Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir See Adding Washer Fluid under Washer Fluid on page 10 19 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 your investment Alway...

Page 237: ...nimum 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 Oil levels above or be...

Page 238: ... cold where the temperature falls below 20 F 29 C an SAE 0W 30 oil should be used An oil of this viscosity grade will provide easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low temperatures When selecting an oil of the appropriate viscosity grade always select an oil that meets the dexos1 specification or equivalent See Specification for more information Engine Oil Additives Engine Oil Flushes D...

Page 239: ... if driving under the best conditions the oil life system might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up to a year The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset Your dealer has trained service people who will perform this work and reset the system It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of an oil drain in...

Page 240: ...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 5 for the location of the engine air cleaner filter When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspect...

Page 241: ...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 off Notice If the air cleaner filter is off dirt can easily get into the engine which could damage it Always have the air cleaner filter in place when you are driving Cooling System The cooli...

Page 242: ...pairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Always use DEX COOL silicate free coolant in the vehicle Engine Coolant The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with DEX COOL engine coolant This coolant is designed to remain in the vehicle for 5 years or 240 000 km 150 000 mi whichever occurs first The following explains the cooling system and how to check and add coolant when it is low If t...

Page 243: ...coolant disposal This will help protect the environment and your health Checking Coolant The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking the coolant level Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling do not do anything else until it cools down If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD ma...

Page 244: ...add the proper DEX COOL coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank 1 Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise about two or two and one half turns If a hiss is heard wait for that to stop This will allow any pressure still left to be vented ou...

Page 245: ...ears but instead get service help right away See Roadside Assistance Program U S and Canada on page 13 7 or Roadside Assistance Program Mexico on page 13 9 If it is decided to lift the hood make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are running If the engine is overheating both fans should be running If they are not do not continue to run the en...

Page 246: ... warning does not come back on continue to drive normally If the warning continues pull over stop and park the vehicle right away If there is no sign 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 emergenc...

Page 247: ... 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 the engine is hot If the fluid is at the MIN mark when the engine is cold or hot power steering fluid should be added The fluid level should be within the crosshatch area on the dipstick If the fluid is at or...

Page 248: ...It can damage the windshield washer system and paint Brakes This vehicle has disc brakes Disc brake pads have built in wear indicators that make a high pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed The sound can come and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving except when applying the brake pedal firmly WARNING The brake wear warning sound means that soon the...

Page 249: ...e vehicle can change the balance between the front and rear brakes for the worse The braking performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are installed Brake Fluid The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10 5 for the location of the reservoir There are o...

Page 250: ...ght not work well This could cause a crash Always use the proper brake fluid Notice Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake hydraulic system parts For example just a few drops of mineral based oil such as engine oil in the brake hydraulic system can damage brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they will have to be replaced Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid If brake fluid ...

Page 251: ...ure there is enough room around the vehicle 2 Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake See Parking Brake on page 9 26 Do not use the accelerator pedal and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts 3 Try to start the engine in each gear The vehicle should start only in P Park or N Neutral If the vehicle starts in any other position contact your dealer for service Aut...

Page 252: ... 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 N Neutral slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only To check the P Park...

Page 253: ...However if the vehicle is damaged in a crash the headlamp aim may be affected Aim adjustment to the low beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming drivers flash their high beam headlamps at you for vertical aim If the headlamps need to be re aimed it is recommended that the vehicle be taken to a dealer for service Bulb Replacement For the proper type of replacement bulbs see Replacement Bulbs on ...

Page 254: ...amp 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 255: ...cket B 7 Install a new bulb 8 Reverse Steps 2 through 5 to reinstall the taillamp assembly A Taillamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps LTZ A Back 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 256: ... the trunk 4 Remove the taillamp assembly 5 Disconnect the wiring harness connector C from the LED 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 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 257: ... assembly 5 Pull the bulb A from the socket B 6 Install the new bulb 7 Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to reinstall License Plate Lamp To replace the license plate lamp bulb 1 Remove the license plate bezel assembly by 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 straig...

Page 258: ...uses and circuit breakers protect power devices in the vehicle Replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size and rating If there is a problem on the road and a fuse needs to be replaced the same amperage fuse can be borrowed Choose some feature of the vehicle that is not needed to use and replace it as soon as possible Headlamp Wiring An electrical overload may cause the lamps to go on a...

Page 259: ...the same amperage can be temporarily borrowed from another fuse location if a fuse goes out Replace the fuse as soon as possible To identify and check fuses circuit breakers and relays see Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 10 31 Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 10 34 and Rear Compartment Fuse Block on page 10 36 Engine Compartment Fuse Block The engine compartment fuse block is located on t...

Page 260: ... Used Fuses Usage 4 Transmission Control Module Ignition 1 5 Mass Airflow Sensor LY7 6 Emission Fuses Usage 7 Left Headlamp Low Beam 8 Horn 9 Right Headlamp Low Beam 10 Front Fog Lamps 11 Left Headlamp High Beam 12 Right Headlamp High Beam 13 Engine Control Module BATT 14 Windshield Wiper 15 Antilock Brake System IGN 1 16 Engine Control Module IGN 1 17 Cooling Fan 1 18 Cooling Fan 2 I n f o r m a ...

Page 261: ... Coils Odd LY7 44 Injectors LE9 LE5 Injectors Ignition Coils Even LY7 45 Post Cat 02 Sensor Heaters LY7 46 Daytime Running Lamps 47 Center High Mounted Stoplamp 50 Driver Power Window 51 Not Used 52 AIR Solenoid 54 Regulated Voltage Control 55 DC AC Inverter 56 Antilock Brake System BATT Relays Usage 28 Cooling Fan 1 29 Cooling Fan Series Parallel 30 Cooling Fan 2 31 Starter 32 Run Crank Ignition ...

Page 262: ...on the passenger side of the vehicle Remove the panel cover to access the fuse block then remove the fuse block cover to access the fuses The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses relays and features shown Fuses Usage POWER MIRRORS Power Mirrors EPS Electronic Power Steering Fuses Usage RUN CRANK Cruise Control Switch Passenger Airbag Status Indicator I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e...

Page 263: ...n Switch Fuses Usage STRG WHL ILLUM Steering Wheel Illumination NOT INSTALLED Not Used RADIO Audio System INTERIOR LIGHTS Interior Lamps NOT INSTALLED Not Used POWER WINDOWS Power Windows HVAC CTRL IGN Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Control Ignition HVAC BLOWER Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Blower Switch DOOR LOCK Door Locks ROOF HEAT SEAT Sunroof Heated Seat Fuses Usage NOT INSTALLED...

Page 264: ...cess the fuse block through the trunk panel on the driver side of the rear cargo area The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses relays and features shown Fuses Usage 1 Passenger Seat Controls 2 Driver Seat Controls 3 Not Used Fuses Usage 4 Not Used 5 Emission 2 Canister Vent Solenoid 6 Park Lamps Instrument Panel Dimming I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 265: ...ystem XM Satellite Radio If Equipped 17 Back up Lamps 18 Not Used Fuses Usage 19 Not Used 20 Auxiliary Power Outlets 21 Not Used 22 Trunk Release 23 Rear Defog 24 Heated Mirrors 25 Fuel Pump Relays Usage 26 Rear Window Defogger 27 Park Lamps 28 Not Used 29 Not Used 30 Not Used Relays Usage 31 Not Used 32 Not Used 33 Back up Lamps 34 Not Used 35 Not Used 36 Trunk Release 37 Fuel Pump 38 Diode Cargo...

Page 266: ...ll tires frequently to maintain the recommended pressure Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut punctured or broken by a sudden impact such as when hitting a pothole Keep tires at the recommended pressure Worn or old tires can cause a crash If the tread is badly worn replace them Continued WARNING Continued Replace any tires that have b...

Page 267: ... equipment tires Winter tires with the same speed rating as the original equipment tires may not be available for H V W Y and ZR speed rated tires If winter tires with a lower speed rating are chosen never exceed the tire s maximum speed capability Low Profile Tires If the vehicle has P225 50R18 or P225 50R17 size tires they are classified as low profile performance tires These tires are designed ...

Page 268: ...iance 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 The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire although only one side may have the ...

Page 269: ... 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 load that can be carried and the maximum pressure needed to support that load E Tire Inflation The temporary use tire or compact spare tire should be inflated to 420 kPa 60 psi For more information on tire pr...

Page 270: ...to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire The letter R means radial ply construction the letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction and the letter B means belted bias ply construction E Rim Diameter Diameter of the wheel in inches F Service Description These characters represent the load index and speed rating of the tire The load index represents the load carrying capacity a tire...

Page 271: ...re is in compliance with the U S Department of Transportation DOT Motor Vehicle Safety Standards The DOT code includes the Tire Identification Number TIN an alphanumeric designator which can also identify the tire manufacturer production plant brand and date of production GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 10 GAWR FRT Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front axle See ...

Page 272: ...duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles Recommended Inflation Pressure Vehicle manufacturer s recommended tire inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard See Tire Pressure on page 10 45 and Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 10 Radial Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread Rim A metal support for a tire and upon...

Page 273: ... and Loading Information Label under Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 10 Tire Pressure Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate effectively Notice Neither tire underinflation nor overinflation is good Underinflated tires or tires that do not have enough air can result in Tire overloading and overheating which could lead to a blowout Premature or irregular wear Poor handling Reduced fu...

Page 274: ...ment If the cold tire inflation pressure matches the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label no further adjustment is necessary If the inflation pressure is low add air until the recommended pressure is reached If the inflation pressure is high press on the metal stem in the center of the tire valve to release air Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gauge Return the valv...

Page 275: ... tire pressure telltale illuminates you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible and inflate them to the proper pressure Driving on a significantly under inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure Under inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life and may affect the vehicle s handling and stopping ability Please note that the TPMS is not a subs...

Page 276: ...re warning light located on the instrument cluster If the warning light comes on stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure shown on the tire loading information label See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 10 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 co...

Page 277: ...or the remainder of the ignition cycle A DIC warning message also displays The malfunction light and DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle 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...

Page 278: ...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 buttons at the same tim...

Page 279: ...mend that the tires including the spare tire if the vehicle has one be inspected for signs of wear or damage at least once a month Replace the tire if The indicators at three or more places around the tire can be seen There is cord or fabric showing through the tire s rubber The tread or sidewall is cracked cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric The tire has a bump bulge or split The ti...

Page 280: ...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 changing a wheel remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle In an emergency a cloth or a paper towel can be used however use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt Lightly coat the ...

Page 281: ...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 tires that may result in vibrations while driving When storing a vehicle for at least a month remove the tires or raise the vehicle to reduce the weight from the tires Buying New Tires GM has develo...

Page 282: ...e center should mount or dismount the tires WARNING Mixing tires of different sizes brands or types may cause loss of control of the vehicle resulting in a crash or other vehicle damage Use the correct size brand and type of tires on all wheels WARNING Using bias ply tires on the vehicle may cause the wheel rim flanges to develop cracks after many miles of driving Continued WARNING Continued A tir...

Page 283: ...afety if tires not recommended for those wheels are selected This increases the chance of a crash and serious injury Only use GM specific wheel and tire systems developed for the vehicle and have them properly installed by a GM certified technician See Buying New Tires on page 10 53 and Accessories and Modifications on page 10 3 for additional information Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grade...

Page 284: ...driving habits service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate Traction AA A B C The traction grades from highest to lowest are AA A B and C Those grades represent the tire s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete A tire marked C may have poor traction performance Warning The tracti...

Page 285: ... that is bent cracked or badly rusted or corroded If wheel nuts keep coming loose the wheel wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced If the wheel leaks air replace it Some aluminum wheels can be repaired See your dealer if any of these conditions exist Your dealer will know the kind of wheel that is needed Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity diameter width offset and be...

Page 286: ...ve slow and readjust or remove the traction device if it contacts the vehicle Do not spin the wheels If traction devices are used install them on the front tires If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blow out while driving especially if the tires are maintained properly See Tires on page 10 38 If air goes out of a tire it is much more likely to leak out slowly But if there is ever a blow...

Page 287: ...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 off the road if possible Turn on the hazard warning flashers See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6 4 WARNING Changing a tire can be dangerous The v...

Page 288: ... ventilation is dangerous Engine exhaust 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 21 WARNING Overinflating a tire could cause the tire to rupture and you or others could be in...

Page 289: ...nt and compressor kit instructions The kit includes A On Off Button B Selector Switch Sealant Air or Air Only C Pressure Relief Button D Pressure Gauge E Air Only Hose Black F Sealant Air Hose Clear G Power Plug Tire Sealant Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the label adhered to the compressor Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant canister The sealant canister shoul...

Page 290: ...each it 4 Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it counterclockwise 5 Attach the sealant air hose F onto the tire valve stem Turn it clockwise until it is tight 6 Plug the power plug G into the accessory power outlet in the vehicle Unplug all items from other accessory power outlets See Power Outlets on page 5 7 If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet do not use the cigarett...

Page 291: ... Assistance Program U S and Canada on page 13 7 or Roadside Assistance Program Mexico on page 13 9 11 Press the on off button A to turn the tire sealant and compressor kit off The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak air until the vehicle is driven and the sealant is distributed in the tire therefore Steps 12 through 18 must be done immediately after Step 11 Be careful while handling the t...

Page 292: ...r kit to inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure 20 Wipe off any sealant from the wheel tire and vehicle 21 Dispose of the used sealant canister and sealant air hose F assembly at a local dealer or in accordance with local state codes and practices 22 Replace it with a new canister available from your dealer 23 After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant and compressor k...

Page 293: ... switch B counterclockwise to the Air Only position 9 Press the on off A button to turn the compressor on The compressor will inflate the tire 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 45 The pressure gauge D may read higher...

Page 294: ...nister 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 compressor kit To store ...

Page 295: ...pact Spare Tire on page 10 75 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 A Wheel Wrench B Jack The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench A and jack B 1 Turn the wing nut counterclockwise to loosen wheel wrench 2 Unhook the wheel wrench from the jack I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 296: ...eel 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 edge of the plastic...

Page 297: ...us 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 vehicle 7 Raise the...

Page 298: ...ing a wheel remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle In an emergency a cloth or a paper towel can be used however use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt 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 co...

Page 299: ...cities and Specifications on page 12 2 for 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 ...

Page 300: ...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 wrench handle over the ta...

Page 301: ... 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 spare is for temporary u...

Page 302: ...ng 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 the wrench on the ja...

Page 303: ...ire 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 case it is needed agai...

Page 304: ...tem 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 bad grounding could ...

Page 305: ...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 do not 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 your ...

Page 306: ...he 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 cable at least 18 inches 45 cm away from the dead battery but not near engine parts that move The electrical connection is just as good there and the chance of sparks getting b...

Page 307: ...sconnect the red positive cable from the other vehicle 5 Return the caps over the positive and negative terminals to their original positions Towing Towing the Vehicle Notice To avoid damage the disabled vehicle should be towed with all four wheels off the ground Care must be taken with vehicles that have low ground clearance and or special equipment Always flatbed on a car carrier Consult your de...

Page 308: ...commendations How far will the vehicle be towed Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow Does the vehicle have the proper towing equipment See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations Is the vehicle ready to be towed Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed Dinghy Towing...

Page 309: ...N SENSOR fuse once the destination has been reached Notice If 105 km h 65 mph is exceeded while towing the vehicle it could be damaged Never exceed 105 km h 65 mph while towing the vehicle Notice Towing the vehicle from the rear could damage it Also repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Never have the vehicle towed from the rear Dolly Towing Tow the vehicle with the two rear wheels ...

Page 310: ... safety precautions and appropriate disposal of any vehicle care product Notice Avoid using high pressure washes closer than 30 cm 12 in to the surface of the vehicle Use of power washers exceeding 8 274 kPa 1 200 psi can result in damage or removal of paint and decals Rinse the vehicle well before washing and after to remove all cleaning agents completely If they are allowed to dry on the surface...

Page 311: ...amps Lenses and Emblems 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 Windshield and Wiper Blades Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner Clean rubber blades using a lint free cloth or paper towel soaked with windshield washer fluid or a mild detergent Wash th...

Page 312: ...tire cleaning brushes Damage could occur and the repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Steering Suspension and Chassis Components Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged loose or missing parts or signs of wear Inspect the power steering for proper hook up binding leaks cracks chafing etc Visually check constant velocity joints rubber boots and axle...

Page 313: ...se cleaners specifically designed for the surfaces being cleaned to prevent permanent damage To prevent overspray apply all cleaners directly to the cleaning cloth Cleaners should be removed quickly Never allow cleaners to remain on the surface being cleaned for extended periods of time Cleaners may contain solvents that can become concentrated in the interior Before using cleaners read and adhere...

Page 314: ... gently wringing until water does not drip from the cleaning cloth 3 Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the center Fold the cleaning cloth to a clean area frequently to prevent forcing the soil in to the fabric 4 Continue gently rubbing the soiled area until there is no longer any color transfer from the soil to the cleaning cloth 5 If the soil is not completely removed us...

Page 315: ...ened with a mild soap solution Damage caused by air fresheners would not be covered by the vehicle warranty Floor Mats WARNING If a floor mat is the wrong size or is not properly installed it can interfere with the pedals Interference with the pedals can cause unintended acceleration and or increased stopping distance which can cause a crash and injury Make sure the floor mat does not interfere wi...

Page 316: ...mat is held in place by two hooks Removing 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 pedals I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 317: ...ed maintenance using genuine replacement parts They have up to date tools and equipment for fast and accurate diagnostics Many dealers have extended evening and Saturday hours courtesy transportation and online scheduling to assist with service needs Your dealer recognizes the importance of providing competitively priced maintenance and repair services With trained technicians the dealer is the pl...

Page 318: ...e Schedule Additional Required Services Normal chart The Additional Required Services Severe are for vehicles that are Mainly driven in heavy city traffic in hot weather Mainly driven in hilly or mountainous terrain Frequently towing a trailer Used for high speed or competitive driving Used for taxi police or delivery service Refer to the information in the Maintenance Schedule Additional Required...

Page 319: ...t Your trained dealer technician can perform this work If the engine oil life system is reset accidentally service the vehicle within 5 000 km 3 000 mi since the last service Reset the oil life system when the oil is changed See Engine Oil Life System on page 10 11 Tire Rotation and Required Services Every 12 000 km 7 500 mi Rotate the tires if recommended for the vehicle and perform the following...

Page 320: ...ricate body components See Exterior Care on page 10 82 Check starter switch See Starter Switch Check on page 10 23 Check automatic transmission shift lock control function See Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check on page 10 23 Check ignition transmission lock See Ignition Transmission Lock Check on page 10 24 Check parking brake and automatic transmission park mechanism See Par...

Page 321: ...Black plate 5 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Service and Maintenance 11 5 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 322: ...or proper hook up routing and condition Check that the purge valve if the vehicle has one works properly Replace as needed b Or every four years whichever comes first c Or every five years whichever comes first See Cooling System on page 10 13 d Or every 10 years whichever comes first Inspect for fraying excessive cracking or damage replace if needed I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 323: ...Black plate 7 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Service and Maintenance 11 7 I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 324: ...es Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only Lubricate chassis components every 5 000 km 3 000 mi Have underbody flushing service performed once a year Additional Maintenance and Care Your vehicle is an important investment and caring for it properly may help to avoid future costly repairs To maintain vehicle performance additional maintenance services may be required It is recommended that your dealer ...

Page 325: ...pproved fluids protect the vehicle s systems and components See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11 11 for GM approved fluids Engine oil and windshield washer fluid levels should be checked at every fuel fill Instrument cluster lights may come on to indicate that fluids may be low and need to be filled Hoses Hoses transport fluids and should be regularly inspected to ensure that there are...

Page 326: ...keep the vehicle looking like new vehicle care products are available from your dealer For information on how to clean and protect the vehicle s interior and exterior see Interior Care on page 10 85 and Exterior Care on page 10 82 Wheel Alignment Wheel alignment is critical for ensuring that the tires deliver optimal wear and performance Signs that the alignment may need to be adjusted include pul...

Page 327: ...e Coolant on page 10 14 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 Key Lock Cylinders Multi Purpose Lubricant Superlube GM Part No 12346241 i...

Page 328: ...o 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 12600224 PF48 Spark Plugs 2 4L L4 Engine 12625058 41 103 3 6L V6 Engine 12622561 41 109 Wip...

Page 329: ...e 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 Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 330: ...Black plate 14 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 11 14 Service and Maintenance Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 331: ...Black plate 15 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 Service and Maintenance 11 15 Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 332: ...Black plate 16 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 11 16 Service and Maintenance Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 333: ...e 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 Service Parts Identific...

Page 334: ...ted 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 7 L 6 0 qt Fuel Tank 61 7 L 16 3 gal Transmission Fluid 2 4L L4 Engine with 6 Speed Automatic Transmission RPO MH8 Drain and Refill 5 0 L 5 3 qt 3 6L V6 Engine with 6 Speed Automatic Transmission R...

Page 335: ...n 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 0 Automatic 1 01 mm 0 040 in 3 6L V6 Engine 7 Automatic 1 10 mm 0 044 in I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i ...

Page 336: ...Black plate 4 1 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual 2012 12 4 Technical Data Engine Drive Belt Routing 2 4L L4 Engine 3 6L V6 Engine I n f o r m a t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...

Page 337: ...to the Canadian Government 13 18 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors 13 18 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy 13 19 Vehicle Data Recording 13 19 OnStar 13 20 Radio Frequency Identification RFID 13 20 Radio Frequency Statement 13 20 Customer Information Customer Satisfaction Procedure U S and Canada Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your deale...

Page 338: ...ver 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 interpretation of the New Vehicle Lim...

Page 339: ...s 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 Care Centre 1 800 263 3777 English 1 800 263 7854 French or write to The Mediation Arbitration Program c o Customer Care Centre General Motors of Can...

Page 340: ...not resolved in a reasonable amount of time by your dealer please call the General Motors Customer Assistance Center CAC and provide the following information Name Address Phone number Model year Brand Vehicle Identification Number VIN Mileage Delivery date Description of the problem Dealership name Dealership address See Customer Assistance Offices U S and Canada on page 13 4 or Customer Assistan...

Page 341: ... Center Av Ejercito Nacional 843 Col Granada C P 11520 Mexico D F 01 800 466 0800 Long Distance 011 52 53 29 0800 Customer Assistance Offices Mexico To contact the Customer Assistance Center CAC use the phone numbers listed in this section Customer assistance is available Monday through Friday 08 00 to 20 00 hours and Saturdays from 08 00 to 15 00 hours All e mail inquiries to the Customer Assista...

Page 342: ...e records Chevrolet dealer locator for service nationwide Exclusive privileges and offers Recall notices for your specific vehicle OnStar and GM Cardmember Services Earnings summaries Other Helpful Links Chevrolet www chevrolet com Chevrolet Merchandise www chevymall com Help Center www chevrolet com pages mds helpcenter faq do FAQ Contact Us Chevrolet Owner Centre Canada chevroletowner ca Take a ...

Page 343: ...dian purchased vehicles call 1 800 268 6800 Service is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year Calling for Assistance When calling Roadside Assistance have the following information ready Your name home address and home telephone number Telephone number of your location Location of the vehicle Model year color and license plate number of the vehicle Odometer reading Vehicle Identification Number ...

Page 344: ...lat tire with the spare tire The spare tire if equipped must be in good condition and 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 ...

Page 345: ...rogram The Roadside Assistance program is not part of or included in the coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty Roadside Assistance provides assistance to the driver and passengers while driving the vehicle within your city of residence or on any passable road in Mexico the United States and Canada Services are subject to the limitations described in the following pages Program cove...

Page 346: ... the difference in cost at the time of the move If the vehicle cannot be received by the nearest Chevrolet dealer due to scheduling conflicts the vehicle will be taken to a safe place where it will remain for up to 48 hours until it can be taken to the dealer If the storage costs exceed the amount authorized the owner is responsible to pay the difference at the time of service Contact Roadside Ass...

Page 347: ...Assistance will provide bus or commercial airline one way service subject to availability for the person designated by you to collect your vehicle at the dealership s location if you or the designated person are not in the same town or city as the dealership These services are not provided for U S or Canada residents All services provided in the U S and Canada are at the owner s expense and will b...

Page 348: ...ogram some of which are listed previously in this section To contact Roadside Assistance by phone use the following numbers Mexico 01 800 466 0800 United States 1 866 466 8901 Canada 1 800 268 6800 E mail asistencia chevrolet gm com Chevrolet reserves the right to make any changes or discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at any time without notification Scheduling Service Appointments U S an...

Page 349: ...ice to get you to your destination with minimal interruption of your daily schedule This includes one way or round trip shuttle service within reasonable time and distance parameters of your dealer s area Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement If the vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs and public transportation is used instead of your dealer s shuttle service the expense must be suppo...

Page 350: ... performance can be compromised in subsequent collisions Collision Parts Genuine GM Collision parts are new parts made with the same materials and construction methods as the parts with which the vehicle was originally built Genuine GM Collision parts are the best choice to ensure that the vehicle s designed appearance durability and safety are preserved The use of Genuine GM parts can help mainta...

Page 351: ...icle will be repaired with GM original equipment collision parts If such insurance coverage is not available from your current insurance carrier consider switching to another insurance carrier If the vehicle is leased the leasing company may require you to have insurance that ensures repairs with Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer OEM parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts Read th...

Page 352: ...th the repair professional and insist on Genuine GM parts Remember if the vehicle is leased you may be obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine GM parts even if your insurance coverage does not pay the full cost If another party s insurance company is paying for the repairs you are not obligated to accept a repair valuation based on that insurance company s collision policy repair limit...

Page 353: ...1 Halyard Drive Plymouth MI 48170 Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation Allow ample time for delivery All listed prices are quoted in U S funds Make checks payable in U S funds Reporting Safety Defects Reporting Safety Defects 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...

Page 354: ...fect notify Transport Canada immediately and notify General Motors of Canada Limited Call Transport Canada at 1 800 333 0510 or write to Transport Canada Road Safety Branch 80 rue Noel Gatineau QC J8Z 0A1 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA or Transport Canada in a situation like this notify General Motors Call 1 800 222 1020 or write Chevrolet Motor Division ...

Page 355: ...his data could help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur Some data may be related to the vehicle dynamics and safety systems operation The data may show How various systems in the vehicle were operating Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled fastened If and how far the driver was pressing the accelerator and or brake ped...

Page 356: ...echnology is used in some vehicles for functions such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system security as well as in connection with conveniences such as Remote Keyless Entry RKE transmitters 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 ...

Page 357: ...live Advisor for Emergency Security Navigation Connection and Diagnostic Services The OnStar system status light is next to the OnStar buttons If the status light is Solid Green System is ready Flashing Green On a call Red Indicates a problem Push Q or call 1 888 4 ONSTAR 1 888 466 7827 to speak to an Advisor Push X to Make a call end a call or answer an incoming call Give OnStar Hands Free Callin...

Page 358: ...location and can provide critical information to emergency personnel The Advisor is also trained to offer critical assistance in emergency situations Security OnStar provides services like Stolen Vehicle Assistance Remote Ignition Block and Roadside Assistance if the vehicle is equipped with these services OnStar can unlock the vehicle doors remotely if it is equipped with automatic door locks and...

Page 359: ...estination System responds with miles to the destination then responds with OnStar ready then a tone 3 Say Goodbye Exits voice commands Other Navigation Services Available from OnStar OnStar eNav Allows subscribers to send destinations from Google Maps and MapQuest com to their Turn by Turn Navigation or screen based navigation system When ready the directions will be downloaded to the vehicle Des...

Page 360: ...s Please say the name tag 4 Pick a name tag System responds About to store name tag Does that sound OK 5 Say Yes or No to try again System responds OK storing name tag Place a Call Using a Stored Number 1 Push X System responds OnStar ready 2 Say Call name tag System responds OK calling name tag Verify Minutes and Expiration Push X and say minutes then verify to check how many minutes remain and t...

Page 361: ...icle requesting updated account information Reactivation for Subsequent Owners Push Q and follow the prompts to speak to an Advisor as soon as possible after acquiring the vehicle The Advisor will update vehicle records and will explain the OnStar service offers and options available How OnStar Service Works Automatic Crash Response Emergency Services Crisis Assist Stolen Vehicle Assistance Vehicl...

Page 362: ...vice may not work Other problems beyond OnStar s control may prevent service such as hills tall buildings tunnels weather electrical system design and architecture of the vehicle damage to the vehicle in a crash or wireless phone network congestion or jamming See Radio Frequency Statement on page 13 20 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission FCC rules and Industr...

Page 363: ...ush Q and ask an Advisor Advisors can speak French or Spanish Potential Issues Some OnStar services are disabled after five days OnStar cannot perform Remote Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle Assistance after the vehicle has been off continuously for five days After five days OnStar can contact Roadside Assistance and a locksmith to help gain access to the vehicle Global Positioning System GPS Obstruc...

Page 364: ...chnologies to be available and operating for features to function properly These systems may not operate if the battery is discharged or disconnected Add on Electrical Equipment The OnStar system is integrated into the electrical architecture of the vehicle Do not add any electrical equipment See Add On Electrical Equipment on page 9 45 Added electrical equipment may interfere with the operation o...

Page 365: ...dding Equipment to the Vehicle 3 28 Passenger Status Indicator 5 13 Readiness Light 5 12 Servicing Airbag Equipped Vehicles 3 28 System Check 3 17 Alarm System Anti theft 2 11 AM FM Radio 7 6 Antenna Satellite Radio 7 13 Anti theft Alarm System 2 11 Antilock Brake System ABS 9 25 Warning Light 5 17 Appearance Care Exterior 10 82 Interior 10 85 Assistance Program Roadside 13 7 13 9 Audio Players 7 ...

Page 366: ...lamps Turn Signal and Stoplamps 10 26 10 27 Buying New Tires 10 53 C Calibration 5 4 California Fuel Requirements 9 34 Perchlorate Materials Requirements 10 3 Warning 10 3 Canadian Vehicle Owners iii Capacities and Specifications 12 2 Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust 9 21 Trunk 2 9 Winter Driving 9 8 Cautions Danger and Warnings iv CD Player 7 13 Center Console Storage 4 3 Chains Tire 10 58 Charging...

Page 367: ...elephone TTY Users 13 6 Customer Information Service Publications Ordering Information 13 16 Customer Satisfaction Procedure 13 1 13 3 D Damage Repair Collision 13 14 Danger Warnings and Cautions iv Data Recording Vehicle 13 19 Daytime Running Lamps DRL 6 2 Defensive Driving 9 2 Delayed Headlamps 6 4 Delayed Locking 2 8 Devices Auxiliary 7 18 Diagnostics OnStar 14 5 Distracted Driving 9 2 Dome Lam...

Page 368: ...eaner Filter 10 12 Check and Service Engine Soon Light 5 14 Compartment Overview 10 5 Coolant 10 14 Coolant Temperature Gauge 5 11 Coolant Temperature Warning Light 5 19 Cooling System 10 13 Drive Belt Routing 12 4 Exhaust 9 21 Heater 9 18 Oil Life System 10 11 Oil Messages 5 25 Overheated Protection Operating Mode 10 18 Engine cont d Overheating 10 17 Power Messages 5 26 Pressure Light 5 20 Runni...

Page 369: ...31 Engine Compartment Fuse Block 10 31 Instrument Panel Fuse Block 10 34 Rear Compartment Fuse Block 10 36 G Gasoline Specifications 9 34 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 39 Vehicle Care 10 2 Glove Box 4 1 GM Mobility Reimburs...

Page 370: ... Storage Area 4 1 Introduction iii J Jump Starting 10 76 K Key and Lock Messages 5 26 Keyless Entry Remote RKE System 2 3 Keys 2 2 L Labeling Tire Sidewall 10 39 Lamps Daytime Running DRL 6 2 Dome 6 6 Exterior Controls 6 1 Lamps cont d Exterior Lamps Off Reminder 6 2 License Plate 10 29 Malfunction Indicator 5 14 Messages 5 26 Reading 6 6 Lap Shoulder Belt 3 11 LATCH System Replacing Parts after a...

Page 371: ...Safety 2 8 Loss of Control 9 5 Low Profile Tires 10 39 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children LATCH System 3 38 Lumbar Adjustment 3 4 Front Seats 3 4 M Maintenance Records 11 13 Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 11 11 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 5 14 Manual Mode 9 23 Messages Airbag System 5 28 Brake System 5 25 Door Ajar 5 25 Engine Oil 5 25 Engine Power 5 26 Fuel System 5 26 ...

Page 372: ...n Infotainment System 7 2 Ordering Service Publications 13 16 Outlets Power 5 7 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode 10 18 Overheating Engine 10 17 Overview OnStar 14 1 P Parade Dimming 6 6 Park Shifting Into 9 19 Shifting Out of 9 20 Parking Brake 9 26 Brake and P Park Mechanism Check 10 24 Over Things That Burn 9 20 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator 5 13 Passenger Sensing System 3 24 Perc...

Page 373: ...ng 10 80 Reimbursement Program GM Mobility 13 7 Remote Keyless Entry RKE System 2 2 2 3 Remote Vehicle Start 2 5 Replacement Bulbs 10 30 Replacement Parts Airbags 3 29 Maintenance 11 12 Replacing Airbag System 3 29 Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash 3 45 Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash 3 16 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government 13 18 General Motors 13 18 U S Governm...

Page 374: ...eatbacks 3 4 Securing Child Restraints 3 45 3 47 Security Light 5 21 OnStar 14 2 Vehicle 2 11 Service Accessories and Modifications 10 3 Doing Your Own Work 10 4 Engine Soon Light 5 14 Maintenance Records 11 13 Maintenance General Information 11 1 Parts Identification Label 12 1 Publications Ordering Information 13 16 Scheduling Appointments 13 12 Vehicle Messages 5 28 Servicing the Airbag 3 28 Sh...

Page 375: ...ations 10 42 Different Size 10 55 If a Tire Goes Flat 10 58 Inflation Monitor System 10 48 Inspection 10 51 Low Profile 10 39 Messages 5 28 Pressure 10 46 Pressure Light 5 20 Pressure Monitor System 10 47 Rotation 10 51 Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 60 Sealant and Compressor Kit Storing 10 66 Sidewall Labeling 10 39 Tires cont d Terminology and Definitions 10 42 Uniform Tire Quality Grading 10 55 ...

Page 376: ...emote Start 2 5 Security 2 11 Towing 10 79 Vehicle Care Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit 10 66 Tire Pressure 10 45 Vehicle Data Recording 13 19 Ventilation Air 8 9 Visors 2 17 W Warning Brake System Light 5 17 Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators 5 8 Warnings iv Cautions and Danger iv Hazard Flashers 6 4 Washer Fluid 10 19 Messages 5 29 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance 10 57 Different ...

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