2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owners Manual

Canada) For U.S.‐purchased vehicles, call 1‐800‐243‐8872; (Text Telephone (TTY): 1‐888‐889‐2438). For Canadian‐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 (VIN), and delivery date of the vehicle. . Description of the problem.

Coverage Services are provided up to 5 years/ 160 000 km (100,000 mi), whichever comes first. In the U.S., anyone driving the vehicle is covered. In Canada, a person driving the vehicle without permission from the owner is not covered. Roadside Assistance is not a part of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Chevrolet and General Motors of Canada Limited reserve the right to make any changes or discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at any time without notification. Chevrolet and General Motors of Canada Limited reserve the right to limit services or payment to an owner or driver if they decide the claims are made too often, or the same type of claim is made many times.

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Services Provided . Emergency Fuel Delivery:

Delivery of enough fuel for the vehicle to get to the nearest service station. Lock‐Out Service: Service to unlock the vehicle if you are locked out. A remote unlock may be available if you have OnStar. For security reasons, the driver must present identification before this service is given.

. Emergency Tow From a Public

Road or Highway: Tow to the nearest Chevrolet dealer for warranty service, or if the vehicle was in a crash and cannot be driven. Assistance is also given when the vehicle is stuck in the sand, mud, or snow.

Flat Tire Change: Service to change a flat 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 changing of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices. Towing or services for vehicles driven on a non-public road or highway.

Customer Information

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Services Specific to Canadian Purchased Vehicles

Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement is approximately $5 Canadian. Diesel fuel delivery may be restricted. Propane and other fuels are not provided through this service. Lock-Out Service: Vehicle registration is required. Trip Routing Service: Detailed maps of North America are provided when requested either with the most direct route or the most scenic route. There is a limit of six requests per year. Additional travel information is also available. Allow three weeks for delivery.

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Customer Information

Trip Interruption Benefits and Assistance: Must be over 250 kilometers from where your trip was started to qualify. General Motors of Canada Limited requires pre-authorization, original detailed receipts, and a copy of the repair orders. Once authorization has been received, the Roadside Assistance advisor will help to make arrangements and explain how to receive payment.

. Alternative Service: If

assistance cannot be provided right away, the Roadside Assistance advisor may give permission to get local emergency road service. You will receive payment, up to $100, after sending the original receipt to Roadside Assistance. Mechanical failures may be covered, however any cost for parts and labor for repairs not covered by the warranty are the owner responsibility.

Roadside Assistance Program (Mexico) Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. For detailed information about Roadside Assistance, please see the brochure provided with your new vehicle or visit our website at: www.chevrolet.com.mx. Navigate the site and click on “Asistencia en el Camino.” E-mail correspondence should be sent to: [email protected]. 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

Scheduling Service Appointments (U.S. and Canada) When the vehicle requires warranty service, contact the dealer and request an appointment. By scheduling a service appointment and advising the service consultant of your transportation needs, the dealer can help minimize your inconvenience. If the vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service department immediately, keep driving it until it can be scheduled for service, unless, of course, the problem is safety related. If it is, please call the dealership, let them know this, and ask for instructions. If the dealer requests you to bring the vehicle for service, you are urged to do so as early in the work day as possible to allow for the same day-repair.

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Customer Information

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Transportation Options Warranty service can generally be completed while you wait. However, if you are unable to wait, GM helps to minimize inconvenience by providing several transportation options. Depending on the circumstances, the dealer can offer one of the following:

Shuttle Service Shuttle service is the preferred means of offering Courtesy Transportation. Dealers may provide shuttle service to get you to your destination with minimal interruption of your daily schedule. This includes one‐way or round‐trip shuttle service within reasonable time and distance parameters of the dealer's area.

Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement If the vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs, and public transportation is used instead of the dealer's shuttle service, the expense must be supported by original receipts and can only be up to the maximum amount allowed by GM for shuttle service. In addition, for U.S. customers, should you arrange transportation through a friend or relative, limited reimbursement for reasonable fuel expenses may be available. Claim amounts should reflect actual costs and be supported by original receipts. See the dealer for information regarding the allowance amounts for reimbursement of fuel or other transportation costs.

Courtesy Transportation Program (U.S. and Canada) To enhance your ownership experience, we and our participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy Transportation, a customer support program for vehicles with the Bumper-to-Bumper (Base Warranty Coverage period in Canada), extended powertrain, and/or hybrid‐specific warranties in both the U.S. and Canada. Several Courtesy Transportation options are available to assist in reducing inconvenience when warranty repairs are required. Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A separate booklet entitled “Warranty and Owner Assistance Information” furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed warranty coverage information.

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Customer Information

Courtesy Rental Vehicle The dealer may arrange to provide you with a courtesy rental vehicle or reimburse you for a rental vehicle that you obtain if the vehicle is kept for an overnight warranty repair. Rental reimbursement will be limited and must be supported by original receipts. This requires that you sign and complete a rental agreement and meet state/provincial, local, and rental vehicle provider requirements. Requirements vary and may include minimum age requirements, insurance coverage, credit card, etc. You are responsible for fuel usage charges and may also be responsible for taxes, levies, usage fees, excessive mileage, or rental usage beyond the completion of the repair. It may not be possible to provide a like vehicle as a courtesy rental.

Additional Program Information All program options, such as shuttle service, may not be available at every dealer. Please contact the dealer for specific information about availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel. General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify, change, or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility pursuant to the terms and conditions described herein at its sole discretion.

Collision Damage Repair (U.S. and Canada) If the vehicle is involved in a collision and it is damaged, have the damage repaired by a qualified technician using the proper equipment and quality replacement parts. Poorly performed collision repairs diminish the vehicle resale value, and safety performance can be compromised in subsequent collisions. Collision Parts Genuine GM Collision parts are new parts made with the same materials and construction methods as the parts with which the vehicle was originally built. Genuine GM Collision parts are the best choice to ensure that the vehicle's designed appearance, durability, and safety are preserved. The use of Genuine GM parts can help maintain the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

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Customer Information

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Limited Warranty, and any vehicle failure related to such parts is not covered by that warranty. Repair Facility GM also recommends that you choose a collision repair facility that meets your needs before you ever need collision repairs. The dealer may have a collision repair center with GM-trained technicians and state‐of‐the‐art equipment, or be able to recommend a collision repair center that has GM-trained technicians and comparable equipment. Insuring The Vehicle Protect your investment in the GM vehicle with comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. There are significant differences in the quality of coverage afforded by various insurance policy terms.

Many insurance policies provide reduced protection to the GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage repairs by using aftermarket collision parts. Some insurance companies will not specify aftermarket collision parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that you ensure that the vehicle 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 the lease carefully, as you may be charged at the end of the lease for poor quality repairs.

Recycled original equipment parts may also be used for repair. These parts are typically removed from vehicles that were total losses in prior crashes. In most cases, the parts being recycled are from undamaged sections of the vehicle. A recycled original equipment GM part may be an acceptable choice to maintain the vehicle's originally designed appearance and safety performance; however, the history of these parts is not known. Such parts are not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any related failures are not covered by that warranty. Aftermarket collision parts are also available. These are made by companies other than GM and may not have been tested for the vehicle. As a result, these parts may fit poorly, exhibit premature durability/ corrosion problems, and may not perform properly in subsequent collisions. Aftermarket parts are not covered by the GM New Vehicle

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Customer Information

If a Crash Occurs If there has been an injury, call emergency services for help. Do not leave the scene of a crash until all matters have been taken care of. Move the vehicle only if its position puts you in danger, or you are instructed to move it by a police officer. Give only the necessary information to police and other parties involved in the crash. For emergency towing see Roadside Assistance Program (U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8 or Roadside Assistance Program (Mexico) on page 13‑10.

Gather the following information: . Driver name, address, and

telephone number.

. Driver license number. . Owner name, address, and

telephone number.

. Vehicle license plate number. . Vehicle make, model, and

model year.

. Vehicle Identification

Number (VIN). Insurance company and policy number.

. General description of the

damage to the other vehicle.

Choose a reputable repair facility that uses quality replacement parts. See “Collision Parts” earlier in this section. If the airbag has inflated, see What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? on page 3‑31. Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process In the event that the vehicle requires damage repairs, GM recommends that you take an active role in its repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of choice, take the vehicle there, or have it towed there. Specify to the facility that any required replacement collision parts be original equipment parts, either new Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts. Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by the GM vehicle warranty.

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Service Publications Ordering Information

Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on the engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc. Service Bulletins Service Bulletins give additional technical service information needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of the vehicle.

Owner Information Owner publications are written specifically for owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The Owner Manual includes the Maintenance Schedule for all models. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus handling and shipping fees. Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and shipping fees.

Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your insurance company may initially value the repair using aftermarket parts. Discuss this with 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 limits, as you have no contractual limits with that company. In such cases, you can have control of the repair and parts choices as long as the cost stays within reasonable limits.

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Customer Information

Current and Past Models Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available for current and past model GM vehicles.

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. at: www.helminc.com. Or write to: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
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, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying General Motors. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign.

However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or General Motors. To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator, NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.

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Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government If you live in Canada, and you believe that the vehicle has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada immediately, and notify General Motors of Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to: Transport Canada Road Safety Branch 2780 Sheffield Road Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9

Customer Information

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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 Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, Mail Code: CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy This GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For example, the vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control engine and transmission performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a crash, and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may store data to help the dealer technician service the vehicle. Some modules may also store data about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.

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Customer Information

Event Data Recorders This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle's systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: . How various systems in the

vehicle were operating.

. Whether or not the driver and

passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened.

. How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal.

. How fast the vehicle was

traveling.

This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. Important: EDR data is recorded by the vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation. To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.

GM will not access this data or share it with others except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in response to an official request by police or similar government office; as part of GM's defense of litigation through the discovery process; or, as required by law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for GM research needs or may be made available to others for research purposes, where a need is shown and the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or vehicle owner.

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OnStar® If the vehicle is equipped with an active OnStar system, that system may also record data in crash or near crash‐like situations. The OnStar Terms and Conditions provides information on data collection and use and is available in the OnStar glove box kit, at www.onstar.com (U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada), or by pressing the Q button and speaking to an advisor.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) RFID technology 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 key fobs for remote door locking/ unlocking and starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use or record personal information or link with any other GM system containing personal information.

Radio Frequency Statement This vehicle has systems that operate on a radio frequency that comply with Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and with Industry Canada Standards RSS‐210/220/310. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. The device may not cause

interference.

2. The device must accept any

interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to any of these systems by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.

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Customer Information

2 NOTES

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Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Add-On Electrical

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47

Adjustments

Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-14
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Airbag System

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-38
How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-30

Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-32

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-30

What Will You See After

an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . .3-31

When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . .3-27

Airbags

Adding Equipment to the

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-37
Passenger Status Indicator . . .5-13
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Servicing Airbag-Equipped

Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-36
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25

Alarm System

Anti-Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Antenna

Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-15

Anti-Theft

Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Antilock Brake

System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19

Appearance Care

Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-94

Assistance Program,

Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-15

INDEX

i-1

Audio System

Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . .7-15
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2

Automatic

Climate Control System . . . . . . . . 8-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-24
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-25
Shift Lock Control

Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-29
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Brake System Warning Light . . . 5-18

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INDEX

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-34
Taillamps, Turn

Signal and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . 10-30, 10-32
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59

Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
California

Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . .9-36
Perchlorate Materials

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii Capacities and

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Carbon Monoxide

Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-22
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9

Cautions, Danger, and

Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-3
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Charging

System Light

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15

Check

Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
Ignition

Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-28

Child Restraints

Infants and Young

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-41

Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . .3-48
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-39
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55, 3-57
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-43

Cleaning

Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-94
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

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INDEX

i-3

Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-12
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Compressor Kit, Tire

Sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Coolant

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Engine Temperature

Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-20
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Courtesy Transportation

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-5
Text Telephone (TTY)

Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-6

Customer Information Service Publications

Door

Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Ajar Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-15

Driver Information

Customer Satisfaction

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3

Driving

Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-12
Danger, Warnings, and

Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv . . . . . . . 13-18

Data Recorders, Event Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Delayed Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Characteristics and

Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-8
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9

Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

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INDEX

E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Electrical Equipment,

Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47

Electrical System

Engine Compartment

Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Rear Compartment Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 9-31
Electronic Stability Control

(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19

Engine

Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Check and Service Engine

Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15

Engine (cont.)

Compartment Overview . . . . . . .10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Coolant Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Coolant Temperature

Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-20
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . .12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-22
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-19
Overheated Protection

Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Running While Parked . . . . . . . .9-23
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-18

Engine Oil

Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47

Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-18
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2

Filter,

Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-97
Fluid

Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-14
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23

Fog Lamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Front Seats

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011

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INDEX

i-5

Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-36
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . .9-37
Filling a Portable Fuel

Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-40
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-39
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . .9-36
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . .9-36
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-35
Requirements, California . . . . .9-36
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27

Fuel Economy

Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-21
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35

Engine Compartment

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

Instrument Panel Fuse

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

Rear Compartment Fuse

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

Gasoline

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-36

Gauges

Engine Coolant

Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Warning Lights and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

General Information

Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-41
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7

Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Headlamps

Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Delayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . .5-22
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Heater

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-19

Heating and Air

Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1, 8-5
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

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INDEX

High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-52
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Ignition Transmission Lock

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Infants and Young Children,

Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Panel

Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84

Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-27
Keyless Entry

Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-44
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Lamps

Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-2
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off

Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . .5-15
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
LATCH System

Replacing Parts After a

Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-55

LATCH, Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-48

Light

Electronic Stability Control

(ESC)/Traction Conrol System (TCS) Indicator Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19

Lighting

Entry/Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Lights

Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Antilock Brake System

(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Brake System Warning . . . . . . .5-18
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011

Black plate (7,1)

Lights (cont.)

Engine Coolant

Temperature Warning . . . . . . .5-20
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . .5-12
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-20

Locks

Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Maintenance

Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8

Maintenance Schedule

Recommended Fluids and

Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-15
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Messages

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . .5-27
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30

INDEX

i-7

Mirrors

Automatic Dimming

Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14

Monitor System, Tire

Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53

Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-16

Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

Off-Road

Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

Oil

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-9

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INDEX

Oil (cont.)

Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-39
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
OnStar® System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Operation, Infotainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Outlets

Parking

Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Brake and P (Park)

Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-28
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . .9-22

Passenger Airbag Status

Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-32
Perchlorate Materials

Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Personalization

Overheated Engine

Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-20

Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Park

Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-20
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-21

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30

Phone

Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-25

Power

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . .9-20
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16

Pregnancy, Using Safety

Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23

Privacy

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-19

Program

Courtesy Transportation . . . . .13-11

Proposition 65 Warning,

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-19
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19

Radios

AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-10
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011

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Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Recommended Fluids and

Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Records

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

Reporting Safety Defects

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-17
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8

Restraints

Recreational Vehicle

Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-45

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88

Retained Accessory

Reimbursement Program,

GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7

Remote Keyless Entry

(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2, 2-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Replacement Parts

Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-38
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-38
Replacing LATCH System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55

Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Electronic Stability (ESC) . . . . .9-31
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27

Roads

Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10

Roof

Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-4
Running the Vehicle While

Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23

INDEX

i-9

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-24
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-23
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . .3-24
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . .3-23

Safety Defects Reporting

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-17
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-10
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67

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i-10

INDEX

Seats

Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-4
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Securing Child

Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55, 3-57

Security

Service (cont.)

Parts Identification Label Publications Ordering

. . . . .12-1

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Scheduling Appointments . . . 13-10
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Shift Lock Control Function

Check, Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27

Shifting

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-20
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-21

Service

Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . .10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 11-8
Maintenance, General

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Signals, Turn and

Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Spare Tire

Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83

Specifications and

Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Storage Areas

Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Storing the Tire Sealant

and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv System

Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

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Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Taillamps

Turn Signal, and

Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . 10-30, 10-32
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-12
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Tires

Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-54
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29

INDEX

i-11

Tires (cont.)

Towing

Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-20
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-53
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Sealant and

Compressor Kit

. . . . . . . . . . . 10-67

Sealant and Compressor

Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Terminology and

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

Uniform Tire Quality

Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . .9-42
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-47
General Information . . . . . . . . . .9-41
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-88
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-45
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88

Traction

Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . .9-29
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Transmission

Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-24
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62

Transportation Program,

Wheel Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-64
When It Is Time for New

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43

Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Turn and Lane-Change

Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

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i-12

INDEX

Uniform Tire Quality

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Using this Manual

Vehicle

Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Identification

Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30
Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . .5-30
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88

Vehicle Care

Storing the Tire Sealant

and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 10-74
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51

Vehicle Identification

Service Parts Identification

Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Warning

Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . .5-18

Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . .iv Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . . . 5-30

Wheels

Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64

When It Is Time for New

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
. . . . 3-45
Where to Put the Restraint Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16

Windshield

Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 10-29

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M

In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3

Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-30

Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25

Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-16
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-24
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-29
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-47

Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M

Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,

Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-6
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 11-8

Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-16
Vehicle Data Recording and

Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011

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This manual describes features that may or may not be on your specific vehicle either because they are options that you did not purchase or due to changes subsequent to the printing of this owner manual. Please refer to the purchase documentation relating to your specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found on your vehicle. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual. Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Introduction

iii

Canadian Vehicle Owners

Propriétaires Canadiens A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à l'adresse suivante: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française www.helminc.com

The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle model names, and vehicle body designs appearing in this manual including, but not limited to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, MALIBU, and the MALIBU Emblem are trademarks and/or service marks of General Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 20786885 B Second Printing

©2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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iv

Introduction

Using this Manual To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found.

Danger, Warnings, and Cautions Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or reduce them. Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk which will result in serious injury or death. Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result in injury or death.

{ WARNING

These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.

Notice: This means there is something that could result in property or vehicle damage. This would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.

A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means “Do Not,” “Do not do this,” or “Do not let this happen.”

Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gauge, or indicator. M : This symbol is shown when you need to see your owner manual for additional instructions or information. * : This symbol is shown when you need to see a service manual for additional instructions or information.

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Introduction

Vehicle Symbol Chart Here are some additional symbols that may be found on the vehicle and what they mean. For more information on the symbol, refer to the Index. 9 : Airbag Readiness Light # : Air Conditioning ! : Antilock Brake System (ABS) % : Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar® $ : Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System I : Cruise Control B : Engine Coolant Temperature O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps . : Fuel Gauge + : Fuses 3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer j : LATCH System Child Restraints * : Malfunction Indicator Lamp : : Oil Pressure } : Power / : Remote Vehicle Start > : Safety Belt Reminders 7 : Tire Pressure Monitor d : Traction Control M : Windshield Washer Fluid

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vi

Introduction

2 NOTES

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In Brief

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Initial Drive Information

Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Sensing System for Passenger

Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-12
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

Vehicle Features

Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices

(Auxiliary Input or USB Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18

In Brief

1-1

Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Performance and Maintenance

Traction Control

System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Sealant and

Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-21
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-21
Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

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1-2