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Black plate (1,1)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-4
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 . . . . . . . 5-29
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 . . . . . . . 9-14
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-22
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-27
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-45
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82

Summary of content (376 pages)

PAGE 1
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3 Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20 Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PAGE 2
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (2,1) 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1 General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3 Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-11 Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-13 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Introduction 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 iv Black plate (4,1) 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. { WARNING These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) 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 .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 vi Black plate (6,1) Introduction 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) In Brief In Brief Instrument Panel Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Initial Drive Information Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-2 In Brief Instrument Panel Black plate (2,1)
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) In Brief A. Air Vents on page 8‑9. L. B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑4. M. Horn on page 5‑3. C. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9. D. Windshield Wiper/Washer on page 5‑3. N. Steering Wheel Controls on page 5‑2 (If Equipped). O. Ignition Positions on page 9‑15. P. E. Instrument Panel Storage on page 4‑1. F. H. Driver Compartment Storage. See Front Storage on page 4‑2. I. J. Hood Release.
PAGE 10
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-4 Black plate (4,1) In Brief Press L and hold for more than two seconds to sound the panic alarm. Press L again to cancel the panic alarm. See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3. Remote Vehicle Start Press K to unlock the driver door. Press again within five seconds to unlock all remaining doors. Press Q to lock all doors. Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) In Brief Door Locks Trunk Release Manual Locks To open the trunk from the outside, press the trunk release button on the RKE transmitter. From inside the vehicle move the manual lock control to unlock or lock a door. 1-5 Emergency Trunk Release Handle Remote Trunk Release Power Door Locks On vehicles with power door locks. K: Q: Press to unlock the doors. Press to lock the doors. For more information, see: . Door Locks on page 2‑7. .
PAGE 12
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-6 Black plate (6,1) In Brief Windows Express-Down Window Seat Adjustment The driver window has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Press the front all the way down and release, to automatically lower. Manual Seats Seat Position To stop the window while it is lowering, pull the front of the switch momentarily. To raise the window, pull and hold the front of the switch.
PAGE 13
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) In Brief Height Adjustment Seatback Adjustment 1-7 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 “Manual Reclining Seatbacks” under Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑4. If available, press and hold the top or bottom of the switch to raise or lower the seat.
PAGE 14
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-8 In Brief Power Seats Seat Position To adjust a power seat, if available: . . . Black plate (8,1) Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward. Raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the horizontal control up or down. Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down. See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑4. Lumbar Adjustment Seatback Adjustment A.
PAGE 15
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) In Brief Second Row Seats With this feature, either side of the seatback can be folded down for more cargo space. Before folding a seatback, make sure the front seat is not reclined. If it is, the rear seatback will not fold down all the way. 1-9 Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked in position. Make sure that the safety belts are properly stowed over the seatback in all three positions.
PAGE 16
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-10 Black plate (10,1) In Brief Safety Belts 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. United States The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) In Brief Mirror Adjustment Exterior Mirrors 2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to move the mirror to the desired direction. Keep the selector switch in the center position when not adjusting either outside mirror. See Power Mirrors on page 2‑14. 1-11 To turn the automatic dimming feature off or on, press and hold O for approximately six seconds or until the indicator light turns off or on.
PAGE 18
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-12 Black plate (12,1) In Brief To adjust the steering wheel: Reading Lamps 1. Pull the lever down. The front reading lamps are located in the front overhead console. The rear reading lamps are near the dome lamp overhead near the rear passenger seats. 2. Move the steering wheel up or down. 3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you. 4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
PAGE 19
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) In Brief For more information, see: . Exterior Lamp Controls on page 6‑1. . Delayed Headlamps on page 6‑4. . Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 6‑2. . Automatic Headlamp System on page 6‑3. . Fog Lamps on page 6‑5. Windshield Wiper/Washer The windshield wiper lever is located on the right side of the steering column. 9: 3: Turns the wipers off. For intermittent or speed sensitive operation.
PAGE 20
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-14 Black plate (14,1) In Brief Climate Controls A. Fan Control E. Air Delivery Mode Control B. Air Recirculation F. C. Temperature Control G. Rear Window Defogger D. Outside Air See Climate Control Systems on page 8‑1 (If Equipped).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) In Brief Automatic Climate Control System (If Equipped) 1-15 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). A. Fan Control E. Rear Window Defogger B. Air Conditioning F. C. Air Recirculation G. Display D. Outside Air H.
PAGE 22
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-16 Black plate (16,1) In Brief © ¨ : Seek or scan stations. 4 : For vehicles with XM, MP3, Vehicle Features Radio(s) WMA, or RDS features, press to display additional text information related to the current FM-RDS or XM station; or CD, MP3, WMA song. 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.
PAGE 23
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) In Brief station frequency tabs and by using the radio FAV button. Press FAV to go through up to six pages of favorites, each having six favorite stations available per page. Each page of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ stations. For radios without a FAV button, up to 18 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM), can be programmed on the six numbered buttons. See Operation on page 7‑2.
PAGE 24
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-18 Black plate (18,1) In Brief The Bluetooth‐enabled cell phone must be paired with the Bluetooth system before it can be used in the vehicle. Not all phones will support all functions. For more information, visit www.gm.com/bluetooth. e + / e −: For more information, see Bluetooth on page 7‑23. b / g : Press to silence the vehicle speakers only. Press again to turn the sound on.
PAGE 25
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) In Brief For more information, see Cruise Control on page 9‑31. Driver Information Center (DIC) The DIC display is located at the bottom of the instrument panel cluster. It shows the status of many vehicle systems and enables access to the personalization menu. INFO: Press to scroll through the vehicle information displays. r: Press to reset some vehicle information displays, select a personalization setting, or acknowledge a warning message.
PAGE 26
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-20 Black plate (20,1) In Brief Performance and Maintenance Traction Control System (TCS) The traction control system limits wheel spin. The system turns on automatically every time the vehicle is started. . To turn off traction control, press and release t on the center console. 4 illuminates and the appropriate DIC message is displayed. See Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑26. . Press and release the button again to turn on traction control.
PAGE 27
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) In Brief The TPMS does not replace normal monthly tire maintenance. It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressures. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 10‑47. Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit This vehicle may come with a spare tire and tire changing equipment or a tire sealant and compressor kit. The kit can be used to temporarily seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 1-22 Black plate (22,1) In Brief . When road and weather conditions are appropriate, use cruise control. Roadside Assistance Program . Always follow posted speed limits or drive more slowly when conditions require. U.S.: 1-800-243-8872 . Keep vehicle tires properly inflated. . Combine several trips into a single trip. . Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near the size. .
PAGE 29
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Keys, Doors, and Windows Doors Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Vehicle Security Keys and Locks Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PAGE 30
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-2 Black plate (2,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Keys and Locks Notice: If the keys get locked in the vehicle, it may have to be damaged to get them out. Always carry a spare key. Keys If locked out of your vehicle, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program (U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑7 or Roadside Assistance Program (Mexico) on page 13‑9. { WARNING Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
PAGE 31
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows If there is a decrease in the RKE operating range: . Check the distance. The transmitter may be too far from the vehicle. . Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. . Check the transmitter's battery. See “Battery Replacement” later in this section. . If the transmitter is still not working correctly, see your dealer or a qualified technician for service.
PAGE 32
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-4 Black plate (4,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows The high‐beam headlamps, parking lamps, and back‐up lamps may come on each time K is pressed. See “EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS” under Vehicle Personalization on page 5‑29 for additional information. headlamps and turn signals flash for 30 seconds. Press L again to cancel the panic alarm. Pressing K on the RKE transmitter disarms the anti-theft alarm system. See Anti-theft Alarm System on page 2‑11.
PAGE 33
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows 3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery. doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles. 4. Snap the transmitter back together. Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows If it is the first remote start since the vehicle has been driven, repeat the previous steps, while the engine is still running, to extend the engine running time by 10 minutes from the time you repeat the steps for remote starting. The remote start running time can be extended one time and only after the first remote start. After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Door Locks WARNING (Continued) { WARNING Unlocked doors can be dangerous. . . Passengers, especially children, can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. The chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash is increased if the doors are not locked.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-8 Black plate (8,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Door Ajar Reminder A chime will sound and the appropriate door message will display if one of the doors is not fully closed. This happens when the ignition is on and the shift lever is moved out of P (Park) or N (Neutral). See Door Ajar Messages on page 5‑25.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Doors WARNING (Continued) Trunk . Adjust the Climate Control System to a setting that brings in only outside air and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See “Climate Control Systems” in the Index. . If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate, disable the power liftgate function. { WARNING Open the rear doors to access the security locks on the inside edge of each door.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-10 Black plate (10,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Remote Trunk Release Emergency Trunk Release 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 handle glows following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from the inside.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Vehicle Security Disarming the System This vehicle has theft-deterrent features; however, they do not make it impossible to steal. To disarm the system: Anti-theft Alarm System Your vehicle may have an anti-theft alarm system. Arming the System With the ignition off, press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter lock button to arm the system.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows When an alarm event has finished, the system will re-arm itself automatically. How to Turn Off the System Alarm To turn off the system alarm: . . . Black plate (12,1) Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter. The system will then re-arm itself. Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter. This will also disarm the system. Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will also disarm the system.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged or the light continues to stay on, try another ignition key. If the engine does not start with the other key, the vehicle needs service. If the vehicle does start, the first key may be damaged. See your dealer who can service the theft-deterrent system and have a new key made.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-14 Black plate (14,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Power Mirrors 2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to move the mirror in the desired direction. Interior Mirrors 3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the area behind it can be seen. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows information on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See OnStar Overview on page 14‑1. Press O to turn the compass display on or off. See Compass on page 5‑4 for more information. Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation Vehicles with an automatic dimming rearview mirror will automatically reduce the glare from the headlamps of the vehicle behind. This feature comes on each time the vehicle is started.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-16 Black plate (16,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Power Windows To stop the window while it is lowering, 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows conditions such as severe icing may also cause the window to auto‐reverse. The window returns to normal operation once the obstruction or condition is removed. In this mode, the window can still close on an object in its path. Use care when using the override mode. Window Lockout 2-17 Press o on the left side to deactivate the lockout switch. The red line on the switch is visible when deactivated.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 2-18 Black plate (18,1) Keys, Doors, and Windows Roof Sunroof of the switch to express-open the sunroof. To stop the sunroof from express-opening, press the switch again. If the sunshade is closed, it will open automatically when the sunroof opens past the vented position. A deflector will automatically raise when the sunroof is opened. The deflector will retract when the sunroof is closed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Seats and Restraints Seats and Restraints Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-16 Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16 Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-16 Airbag System Head Restraints Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Front Seats Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-2 Black plate (2,1) Seats and Restraints Head Restraints The vehicle's front and rear seats have adjustable head restraints in the outboard seating positions. { WARNING With head restraints that are not installed and adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that occupants will suffer a neck/ spinal injury in a crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants are installed and adjusted properly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Seats and Restraints Front Seats 3-3 To adjust the seat position: Height Adjustment 1. Lift the bar under the front of the seat cushion to unlock the seat. If available, press and hold the top or bottom of the switch to raise or lower the seat. Release the switch when the desired height is reached. Seat Adjustment Seat Position { WARNING You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver seat while the vehicle is moving.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-4 Black plate (4,1) Seats and Restraints Power Seat Adjustment . Raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the control up or down. . Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down. { WARNING You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Seats and Restraints 3-5 Manual Reclining Seatbacks { WARNING Do not have a seatback reclined if the vehicle is moving. You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving. To recline the seatback: 1. Lift the lever.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-6 Black plate (6,1) Seats and Restraints To return the seatback to the upright position: Power Reclining Seatbacks Heated Front Seats { WARNING 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. To adjust a power seatback, if equipped: . Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Seats and Restraints 3-7 Rear Seats Folding the Seatback Either side of the seatback can be folded down for more cargo space. Adjust the seatback only when the vehicle is not moving. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-8 Black plate (8,1) Seats and Restraints Raising the Seatback { WARNING A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Seats and Restraints WARNING (Continued) Why Safety Belts Work It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, passengers riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow passengers to ride in any area of the vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Always wear a safety belt, and check that all passenger(s) are restrained properly too.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-10 Black plate (10,1) Seats and Restraints . Also, in nearly all states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. How to Wear Safety Belts Properly { WARNING This section is only for people of adult size. There are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and infants.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Seats and Restraints Lap-Shoulder Belt All seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-12 Black plate (12,1) Seats and Restraints 4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster” later in this section for instruction on use and important safety information. 5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Seats and Restraints Safety Belt Pretensioners Squeeze the buttons (A) on the sides of the height adjuster and move the height adjuster to the desired position. After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try to move it down without squeezing the buttons to make sure it has locked into position. This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front outboard occupants.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-14 Black plate (14,1) Seats and Restraints Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt: 2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 3-15 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described previously in this section.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-16 Black plate (16,1) Seats and Restraints Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Seats and Restraints See your dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑12.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-18 Black plate (18,1) Seats and Restraints Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: { WARNING You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt, even with airbags. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to inflate in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are the only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑21.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Seats and Restraints 3-19 Where Are the Airbags? There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑12 for more information. The driver frontal airbag is in the center of the steering wheel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-20 Black plate (20,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar The driver and front outboard passenger seat-mounted side impact airbags are in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door. Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar The roof-rail airbags for the driver, front outboard passenger, and second row outboard passengers are in the ceiling above the side windows.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Seats and Restraints When Should an Airbag Inflate? whether the object is fixed or moving, rigid or deformable, narrow or wide. Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries, mainly to the driver's or right front passenger's head and chest. However, they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-22 Black plate (22,1) Seats and Restraints What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. For airbag location, see Where Are the Airbags? on page 3‑19.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING When an airbag inflates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-24 . Black plate (24,1) Seats and Restraints Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag systems. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. Passenger Sensing System The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the front outboard passenger position. The passenger airbag status indicator will light on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING WARNING (Continued) A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the passenger frontal airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the passenger frontal airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-26 Black plate (26,1) Seats and Restraints The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on the front outboard passenger frontal airbag and seat‐mounted side impact airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front outboard passenger seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit as a reminder that the airbags are active.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Seats and Restraints If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and see your dealer. If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an Adult-Size Occupant properly in the seat. Use the following steps to allow the system to detect that person and enable the front outboard passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-28 Black plate (28,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING { WARNING Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or between the passenger seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system. For up to 10 seconds after the vehicle is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Seats and Restraints heater or a comfort‐enhancing pad or device, installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing system. This could either prevent proper deployment of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s). See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑24.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-30 Black plate (30,1) Seats and Restraints If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started or comes on when you are driving, the airbag system may not work properly. Have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑12 for more information. Child Restraints Older Children Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle safety belts.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Seats and Restraints . Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. . Can proper safety belt fit be maintained for the length of the trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-32 Black plate (32,1) Seats and Restraints WARNING (Continued) The child could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. The child might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Seats and Restraints WARNING (Continued) For example, in a crash at only 40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb) infant will suddenly become a 110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 3-33 { WARNING Never do this. Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-34 Black plate (34,1) Seats and Restraints sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer's instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Seats and Restraints 3-35 Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle { WARNING (B) Forward-Facing Child Seat A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child's body with the harness. (C) Booster Seats A booster seat (C) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-36 Black plate (36,1) Seats and Restraints endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Seats and Restraints WARNING (Continued) passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position. Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-38 Black plate (38,1) Seats and Restraints The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system. A. Occupant prohibited B. Child restraint using LATCH A. Child restraint using LATCH B. Child restraint or occupant using safety belt C. Child restraint using safety belt or LATCH or occupant using safety belt A. Child restraint or occupant using safety belt A.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Seats and Restraints Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments. Top Tether Anchor Lower Anchors Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B). A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-40 Black plate (40,1) Seats and Restraints Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations To assist in locating the lower anchors, each rear anchor position has a label, near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion. Rear Seat I (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. H (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. To assist in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is on the cover.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Seats and Restraints 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. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑36 for additional information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-42 Black plate (42,1) Seats and Restraints If you need to secure more than one child restraint in the rear seat, see Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑36. Depending on where you place the child restraint, you may not be able to access certain safety belt assemblies or LATCH anchors for additional passengers or child restraints. You cannot secure three child restraints using the LATCH anchors in the rear seat at the same time, but you can install two of them.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Seats and Restraints 2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 3-43 2.3. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether according to the child restraint instructions and the following instructions: 2.1. Find the top tether anchor. Open the cover to expose the anchor. 2.2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-44 Black plate (44,1) Seats and Restraints 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‐side and back‐and‐forth. There should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of movement for proper installation.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Seats and Restraints Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) { WARNING When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle. A crash can damage the LATCH system in the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-46 Black plate (46,1) Seats and Restraints If more than one child restraint needs to be installed in the rear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑36. 1. Put the child restraint on the seat. 2. 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. 3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (47,1) Seats and Restraints 5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt, and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-48 Black plate (48,1) Seats and Restraints { WARNING A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (49,1) Seats and Restraints In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 3-49 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle's safety belt through or around the restraint.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 3-50 Black plate (50,1) Seats and Restraints Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6. 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt, and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Storage Storage Storage Compartments Instrument Panel Storage . . . . . Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Center Console Storage . . . . . . 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-1 Storage Compartments Glove Box Instrument Panel Storage Cupholders An instrument panel storage area, with a removable liner, is located above the radio.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 4-2 Black plate (2,1) Storage Front Storage Push down on the cover handle (A) and then forward to access the cupholders. To remove the cupholders: 1. Press and hold the tab at the rear of the cupholders. 2. Lift 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Storage Center Console Storage A driver side storage compartment is located near the steering column on the bottom of the instrument panel. Pull the cover down to open. Pull out to remove for cleaning. The center console storage has a tray 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 4-4 Black plate (4,1) Storage Additional Storage Features Convenience Net Use the rear convenience net to store small items. The net should not be used to store heavy loads. Push down on the cover handle (A) and then forward to access the storage area.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Instruments and Controls Instruments and Controls Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2 Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2 Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-2 Black plate (2,1) Instruments and Controls w or x / c (Next/Previous): Controls 4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. Steering Wheel Adjustment Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. Press to change radio stations, select tracks on a CD, or to select tracks and navigate folders on an iPod® or USB device. Steering Wheel Controls To change radio stations: .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Instruments and Controls 2. Press and release w or x / c to scroll up or down the list, then press and hold w to play the highlighted track. To navigate folders on an iPod or USB device: 1. Press and hold w or x / c while listening to a song until the contents of the current folder display on the radio display. 2. Press and hold x / c to go back to the previous folder list. 3. Press and release w or x / to scroll up or down the list. c .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-4 Black plate (4,1) Instruments and Controls 6 (Low Speed): Slow wipes. 1 (High Speed): Fast wipes. 8 (Mist): Single wipe, move the lever down, then release it. Several wipes, hold the lever down. Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades should be replaced. Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A circuit breaker stops the motor until it cools.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Instruments and Controls Compass Variance Clock The mirror is set in zone eight. It is necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is driven outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances, such as a long distance, cross-country trip, it is necessary to adjust the compass variance. Without Date Display AM/FM Base Radio with a Single CD Player To set the time: 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-6 Black plate (6,1) Instruments and Controls 4. Press the H button again until the clock display stops flashing to set the currently displayed time; otherwise, the flashing stops after five seconds and the current time displayed is automatically set. 2. Press the H button and the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour, minute, month, day, and year) displays. To change the time default setting from 12 hour to 24 hour, press the H button until 12H or 24H is displayed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Instruments and Controls Power Outlets Accessory power outlets can be used to plug in electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or MP3 player. There are two accessory power outlets. One accessory power outlet is located inside the storage bin below the climate controls and the other outlet is on the rear of the center storage console. Remove the cover to access and replace when not in use. The accessory power outlet is operational at all times.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-8 Black plate (8,1) Instruments and Controls If you try to connect equipment using more than 150 watts or a system fault is detected, a protection circuit shuts off the power supply and the indicator light turns off. To reset the circuit, unplug the item and plug it back in or turn the Remote Accessory Power (RAP) off and then back on. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑18.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Instruments and Controls Instrument Cluster English shown, Metric similar 5-9
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-10 Black plate (10,1) Instruments and Controls Speedometer Trip Odometer The speedometer shows the vehicle's speed in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). The trip odometer can show how far the vehicle has been driven since the trip odometer was last reset. Odometer The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in either kilometers or miles. This vehicle has a tamper‐resistant odometer.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Instruments and Controls When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge shows how much fuel is left in the fuel tank. When the indicator nears empty, a message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays. See Fuel System Messages on page 5‑26 for more information. The vehicle still has a little fuel left, but the vehicle should be fueled soon. An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-12 Black plate (12,1) Instruments and Controls Safety Belt Reminders Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light When the engine is started, a chime sounds for several seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety belt. Unless the driver safety belt is already buckled. The safety belt light comes on and stays on for several seconds, then flashes for several more. This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Instruments and Controls 5-13 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. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-14 Black plate (14,1) Instruments and Controls If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal and seat-mounted side impact airbag. If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system. See your dealer for service.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Instruments and Controls Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle. This system assists the service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-16 . Black plate (16,1) Instruments and Controls Check that good quality fuel is used. Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently as designed and may cause stalling after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changed into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. These conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Instruments and Controls Brake System Warning Light The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic circuits. If one circuit is not working, the remaining circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal braking performance, both circuits need to be working. If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have the brake system inspected right away.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-18 Black plate (18,1) Instruments and Controls If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working normally, the indicator light then goes off. If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Instruments and Controls If the TCS is off, the system does not assist in controlling the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the ESC systems and the warning light turns off. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 9‑27 and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 9‑29 for more information Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light If the light does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-20 Black plate (20,1) Instruments and Controls The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on when the engine has overheated. If this happens pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible. See Engine Overheating on page 10‑17 for more information. Tire Pressure Light A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire pressure message may also display. See Vehicle Messages on page 5‑25 for more information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Instruments and Controls Security Light of the monitored entry points is not closed. The light will stay on if the alarm is arming and all entry points are closed. 5-21 Cruise Control Light For information regarding this light and the vehicle's security system, see Anti-theft Alarm System on page 2‑11. The security light should come on briefly as the engine is started. If the system is working normally, the indicator light turns off.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-22 Black plate (22,1) Instruments and Controls Information Displays 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. Driver Information Center (DIC) Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC). The DIC display gives you the status of many of your vehicle's systems.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Instruments and Controls The temperature outside of the vehicle will be displayed in either degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The outside air temperature appears on the left side of the DIC display and the odometer, or trip odometer, appears on the right side of the display. Odometer Press the information button until the outside air temperature and the odometer displays.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-24 Black plate (24,1) Instruments and Controls MPG (L/100 KM) INST (Instantaneous) Press the information button until MPG (L/100 KM) INST displays. This mode shows the current fuel economy at a particular moment and changes frequently as driving conditions change. This mode shows the instantaneous fuel economy in liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg). Unlike average fuel economy, this screen cannot be reset.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Instruments and Controls Vehicle Messages The following messages appear if there is a problem detected in one of your vehicle's systems. A message clears when the vehicle's condition is no longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons. If the condition is still present, the warning message comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-26 Black plate (26,1) Instruments and Controls Engine Power Messages Fuel System Messages Lamp Messages ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED CHECK GAS CAP AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF This message displays when the vehicle's engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Instruments and Controls with directional control of the vehicle. You may feel or hear the system working and see this message displayed in the DIC. Slippery road conditions may exist when this message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This message may stay on for a few seconds after ESC stops assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. This is normal when the system is operating.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-28 Black plate (28,1) Instruments and Controls If this message still stays on or turns back on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the ESC inspected by your dealer as soon as possible. SERVICE TRACTION If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and a chime sounds when the system is not functioning properly. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Instruments and Controls Several conditions may cause this message to appear. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10‑48 for more information. If the warning comes on and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. See your dealer. TIRE LOW ADD AIR On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), this message displays when the pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires is low on air.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-30 Black plate (30,1) Instruments and Controls 2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at the same time for one second, then release to enter the personalization menu. If the vehicle speed is greater than 3 km/h (2 mph), only the UNITS menu will be accessible. 3. Press the information button to scroll through the available personalization menu modes. Press the reset button to scroll through the available settings for each mode.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Instruments and Controls 5-31 LOCK HORN UNLOCK HORN LIGHT FLASH This feature, which allows the vehicle's horn to chirp every time the lock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed, can be enabled or disabled.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-32 Black plate (32,1) Instruments and Controls To select a setting and move on to the next feature, press the information button while the desired setting is displayed on the DIC. DELAY LOCK This feature, which delays the actual locking of the vehicle, can be enabled or disabled.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Instruments and Controls SHIFT TO P (Park) (default): The door(s) will unlock when the vehicle is shifted into P (Park). See Automatic Door Locks on page 2‑8 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 5-34 Black plate (34,1) Instruments and Controls 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Lighting Lighting Exterior Lighting Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1 Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Delayed Headlamps . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 6-2 Black plate (2,1) Lighting AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System): Automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps during daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night. P (Off/On): Turn the band to this position to turn on the Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this position only works when a vehicle is in the P (Park) position. To turn on the Automatic Headlamp System, turn the switch to off/on.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Lighting . The light sensor detects daytime light. . The parking brake is released or the vehicle is not in P (Park). When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights are not on unless you turn the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position. The regular headlamp system should be turned on when they are needed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 6-4 Black plate (4,1) Lighting Delayed Headlamps Hazard Warning Flashers The delayed headlamps feature keeps the headlamps on for 20 seconds after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF, then the headlamps automatically turn off. To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever up one position and then back to AUTO.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Lighting Fog Lamps # : Press to turn the fog lamps on or off. An indicator light comes on when the fog lamps are on. The parking lamps automatically 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. For vehicles with fog lamps, the button for this feature is located on the instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 6-6 Black plate (6,1) Lighting Dome Lamps Lighting Features The dome lamps come on when any door is opened. They turn off after all the doors are closed. Entry/Exit Lighting The dome lamps can also be turned on by turning the instrument panel brightness knob, located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering column, clockwise to the farthest position. In this position, the dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Lighting The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning fast enough at idle to produce all of the power needed for very high electrical loads.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 6-8 Black plate (8,1) Lighting 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Infotainment System Infotainment System Introduction Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 7-2 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Introduction Infotainment Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the following pages to become familiar with its features.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-2 Black plate (2,1) Infotainment System or additional equipment is compatible with your vehicle before installing it. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10‑3. Operation The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP). 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Infotainment System 7-3 4 (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 activate SCV: 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-4 Infotainment System The display times out after approximately 10 seconds. Each higher setting allows for more radio volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) Radio with CD To adjust the bass, or treble: 1. Press the f knob until Bass or Treble displays. 2. To adjust the setting, do one of the following: . . . Black plate (4,1) f knob. Press either ¨ SEEK, or © SEEK button. Press either \ FWD, or s REV button.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Infotainment System . Press either \ FWD, or s REV button. . 7-5 Press the \ FWD, or s REV button. EQ (Equalization): Press this button to choose bass and treble equalization settings designed for different types of music. Selecting MANUAL or changing bass or treble, returns the EQ to the manual bass and treble settings.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-6 Black plate (6,1) Infotainment System Radio AM-FM Radio Radio Data System (RDS) The radio may have RDS. The RDS feature is available for use only on FM stations that broadcast RDS information. This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and only works when the information is available. While the radio is tuned to an FM-RDS station, the station name or call letters display.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Infotainment System . To scan preset stations in the selected band, press and hold © SEEK for four seconds until a double beep sounds. The radio goes to a stored preset, plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next stored preset. Press © SEEK again to stop scanning preset stations. ¨ SEEK: Press to seek or scan stations with a strong signal in the selected band. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-8 Black plate (8,1) Infotainment System Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite Radio that have a FAV button store radio stations as favorites. To store a station as a favorite: 1. Tune to a radio station. 4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time out, to return to the original main radio screen showing the radio station frequency tabs and to begin the process of programming favorites. 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Infotainment System If 4 is pressed and the song title or artist information is longer than what can be displayed, the extra information will page every three seconds when Auto Text is activated. Finding an XM Channel BAND: Press to switch between AM, FM, or XM™, if equipped. f (Tune): Turn to manually select an XM channel. © SEEK: Press to go to the previous XM channel. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-10 Black plate (10,1) Infotainment System 4. Press the softkey located under the Add or Remove tab. To restore all removed categories, press the softkey under the Restore All tab. 5. Repeat the steps to remove more categories. Storing XM Channels Drivers are encouraged to store radio station while the vehicle is parked, see Defensive Driving on page 9‑2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Infotainment System Loading XM: The audio system is acquiring and processing audio and text data. No action is needed. This message should disappear shortly. No CAT Info: No category information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly. Channel Off Air: This channel is not currently in service. Tune in to another channel. No Information: No text or informational messages are available at this time on this channel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-12 Black plate (12,1) Infotainment System Radio Reception AM Cellular Phone Usage Frequency interference and static can occur during normal radio reception if items such as cell phone chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item from the accessory power outlet. The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Infotainment System If a cellular telephone antenna needs to be attached to the glass, make sure that the grid lines for the AM-FM antenna are not damaged. There is enough space between the grid lines to attach a cellular telephone antenna without interfering with radio reception. Notice: Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window can damage the rear window antenna and/or the rear window defogger.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-14 Black plate (14,1) Infotainment System load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris. If an error displays, see “CD Messages” later in this section. Care of CDs Store a disc in its original case or a protective case and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the bottom of a disc is damaged it may not play properly or at all.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Infotainment System \ FWD (Fast Forward): Press and hold to advance playback quickly within a track. Sound is heard at a reduced volume and the elapsed time of the track displays. Release to resume playing the track. Softkeys 4 (Information): Press to display available additional information about the current track. RDM (Random): Tracks can be listened to in random, rather than sequential order.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-16 Black plate (16,1) Infotainment System Empty Folder Playing an MP3 Buttons and Knobs Folders that do not contain files are skipped, and the player advances to the next folder that contains files. Order of Play The buttons and knobs on the radio control the following features. File Naming Tracks are played in the following order: . The song name that displays is the song name that is contained in the ID3 tag.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Infotainment System volume and the elapsed time of the track displays. Release \ FWD to resume playing. S c (Previous Folder): Press the softkey below S c to go to the 4 (Information): c T (Next Folder): Press the softkey below c T to go to the first Press to display available additional information about the current track. BAND: Press to listen to the radio while an MP3 disc is playing. The MP3 disc remains inside the CD player.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-18 Black plate (18,1) Infotainment System 3. Press the softkey below the back tab to return to the main music navigator screen. The album name displays on the second line between the arrows and songs from the current album begins to play. Once all songs from that album have played, the player moves to the next album in alphabetical order on the disc and begins playing MP3 files from that album.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Infotainment System To use a portable audio player, connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) cable to the auxiliary input jack. When a device is connected, press the CD/ AUX button to begin playing audio from the device over the vehicle speakers. O (Power/Volume): Turn to adjust the volume. Additional volume adjustments may have to be made from the portable device if the volume is too quiet or not loud.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-20 Infotainment System Preprogrammed Playlists Playlists that have an .m3u or .pls file extension and are stored on a USB device may be supported by the radio with a USB port. Order of Play Tracks are played in the following order: . . Black plate (20,1) Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Infotainment System ¨ SEEK: 7-21 Press to go to the next track. Press and hold ¨ SEEK or press it multiple times to continue moving forward through tracks. The softkeys below the radio display control the following features. 4. Turn f to scroll through the files in the selected folder. j (Pause): Press the softkey below j to pause the track. The s REV (Reverse): Press and hold to reverse playback quickly. Sound is heard at a reduced volume.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-22 Infotainment System . Albums . Genres . Songs . Composers To select tracks: 1. Press the softkey below h. 2. Turn f to scroll through the list of menus. 3. Press f to select the desired menu. 4. Turn f to scroll through the folders or files in the selected menu. 5. Press Black plate (22,1) f to select the track. To skip through large lists, the five softkeys can be used to navigate in the following order: . First softkey, first item in the list. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Infotainment System Phone . Pair cell phone(s) to the vehicle. The system may not work with all cell phones. See “Pairing a Phone” in this section for more information. . If the cell phone has voice dialing capability, learn to use that feature to access the address book or contact list. See “Voice Pass-Thru” in this section for more information. . See “Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers” in this section for more information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-24 Black plate (24,1) Infotainment System When to Speak: A short tone sounds after the system responds indicating when it is waiting for a voice command. Wait until the tone and then speak. b / g (Push To Talk): Press to answer incoming calls, to confirm system information, and to start speech recognition. How to Speak: Speak clearly in a calm and natural voice. x / c (Mute/End Call): Press to end a call, reject a call, or to cancel an operation.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Infotainment System 7-25 2. Say “Bluetooth.” This command can be skipped. 6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to pair additional phones. 4. Say the name of the phone you want to delete. 3. Say “Pair.” The system responds with instructions and a four‐digit PIN number. The PIN number is used in Step 5. Listing All Paired and Connected Phones Connecting to a Different Phone 4. Start the pairing process on the cell phone that you want to pair.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-26 Black plate (26,1) Infotainment System Storing and Deleting Phone Numbers The system can store up to 30 phone numbers as name tags in the Hands Free Directory that is shared between the Bluetooth and OnStar systems. The following commands are used delete and store phone numbers. Store: This command will store a phone number, or a group of numbers as a name tag. Using the “Store” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for 2. Say “Store.” 3.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Infotainment System Listing Stored Numbers The list command will list all the stored numbers and name tags. Using the “List” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for 2. Say “Directory.” Using the “Dial” or “Call” Command 1. Press and hold two seconds. b / g for 2. Say “Dial” or “Call.” 3. Say the entire number without pausing or say the name tag. 4. Say “List.” Once connected, the person called will be heard through the audio speakers.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-28 Black plate (28,1) Infotainment System Receiving a Call Three‐Way Calling When an incoming call is received, the audio system mutes and a ring tone is heard in the vehicle. Three‐way calling must be supported on the cell phone and enabled by the wireless service carrier. . . b / g to answer the call. Press x / c to ignore a call. Press Call Waiting Call waiting must be supported on the cell phone and enabled by the wireless service carrier. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Infotainment System Transferring Audio to the Bluetooth System from a Cell Phone 3. Say “Voice.” The system responds “OK, accessing .” During a call with the audio on the cell phone, press b / g. The audio transfers to the vehicle. If the audio does not transfer to the vehicle, use the audio transfer feature on the cell phone. See your cell phone manufacturers user guide for more information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 7-30 Black plate (30,1) Infotainment System 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Climate Controls 8-1 Climate Controls Climate Control Systems Climate Control Systems The heating, cooling and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with this system. Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1 Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5 Air Vents Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 A. Fan Control E. Air Delivery Mode Control B. Recirculation F. C.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 8-2 Black plate (2,1) Climate Controls Operation Select from the following: Temperature Control: Turn clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle. H (Vent): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets. When it is cold outside −18°C (0°F) or lower, use the engine coolant heater, if vehicle has one, to provide warmer air faster to the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Climate Controls To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following: 1. Select 0. For quick cool down on hot days, do the following: 1. Select the C vent mode. 2. Select the highest temperature. 2. Select the highest fan speed. 3. Select the highest fan speed. 3. Select # (Air Conditioning): 4. Press to turn the air conditioning system on or off. An indicator light comes on to show it is on.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 8-4 Black plate (4,1) Climate Controls To improve fuel efficiency and to cool the vehicle faster, recirculation may be automatically selected in warm weather. The recirculation light will not come on. To override this feature, select outside air. Rear Window Defogger The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the rear window. 1 REAR: Press to turn the rear window defogger on or off.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Climate Controls 8-5 Automatic Climate Control System Automatic Operation For vehicles with this system, the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be automatically controlled. AUTO (Automatic): Select AUTO on both the fan speed control and the air delivery mode control knobs to activate the automatic system. When automatic operation is active the system controls the inside temperature and air delivery.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 8-6 Black plate (6,1) Climate Controls 2. Set the temperature. An initial setting of 73°F (23°C) is recommended. Allow about 20 minutes for the system to regulate. Press w or x to adjust the temperature setting as necessary. If the temperature is set at 60°F (15°C) the system remains at the maximum cooling setting. If the temperature is set at 90°F (32°C) the system remains at the maximum heat setting.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Climate Controls windshield. The air conditioning indicator light blinks three times if the compressor is turned off while in this mode. # (Air Conditioning): Press turn the air conditioning on and off. An indicator light turns on to show the air conditioning is on. When air conditioning is selected or is in AUTO mode, the system runs the air conditioning automatically to cool and dehumidify the air entering the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 8-8 Black plate (8,1) Climate Controls When the weather is cool or damp, operating the system in recirculation for extended periods of time can cause fogging of the vehicle's windows. To clear the fog, select either defog or defrost. Make sure the air conditioning is on. Allow the air conditioning to run automatically to help dehumidify the air. If driving below 80 km/h (50 mph), the rear window defogger turns off about 15 minutes after the button is pressed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Climate Controls Air Vents Use the lever located in the center of each outlet by moving it either up and down or side-to-side, to change the direction and amount of airflow in the vehicle. Operation Tips . Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air inlets at the base of the windshield that may block the flow of air into the vehicle. . Do not use non-GM approved hood deflectors as they could adversely affect the performance of the system. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 8-10 Black plate (10,1) Climate Controls 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Driving and Operating Driving and Operating Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Engine Exhaust Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2 Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2 Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Braking . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-2 Driving and Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms and can take your focus from the task of driving. Exercise good judgment and do not let other activities divert your attention away from the road. Many local governments have enacted laws regarding driver distraction. Become familiar with the local laws in your area. To avoid distracted driving, always keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Driving and Operating . Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you. . Focus on the task of driving. Drunk Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy. { WARNING Control of a Vehicle Braking, steering, and accelerating are important factors in helping to control a vehicle while driving. Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-4 Black plate (4,1) Driving and Operating If the steering wheel is turned in either direction several times until it stops, or it is held until it is stopped for an extended time, power steering assist should return shortly after a few normal steering movements. See specific vehicle steering messages under Vehicle Messages on page 5‑25. See your dealer if there is a problem.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Driving and Operating Off-Road Recovery 2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. 3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway. Loss of Control Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-6 . Black plate (6,1) Driving and Operating Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid. Driving on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Driving and Operating Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled. Hill and Mountain Roads . Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires on page 10‑38. . Turn off cruise control. Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include: . Highway Hypnosis Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings while driving.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-8 . Black plate (8,1) Driving and Operating Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action. Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting in even less traction.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Driving and Operating { WARNING Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If the vehicle is stuck in the snow: . . . Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-10 Black plate (10,1) Driving and Operating { WARNING If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could be injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine compartment fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as little as possible and avoid going above 55 km/h (35 mph). For information about using tire chains on the vehicle, see Tire Chains on page 10‑58.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Driving and Operating Tire and Loading Information Label Label Example A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle's center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver's door open, you will find the label attached below the door lock post. The Tire and Loading Information label shows the number of occupant seating 9-11 positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-12 Black plate (12,1) Driving and Operating the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs). 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Driving and Operating seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed the vehicle's capacity weight. Certification Label A. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs). B. Subtract Occupant Weight C. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lbs).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-14 Driving and Operating If you put things inside the vehicle — like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going. { WARNING Things inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. . Black plate (14,1) Put things in the cargo area of the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Driving and Operating . . Avoid making hard stops for the first 322 km (200 miles) or so. During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings. Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Trailer Towing on page 9‑42 for the trailer towing capabilities of the vehicle and more information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-16 Black plate (16,1) Driving and Operating If the vehicle must be shut off in an emergency: { WARNING 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete power assist, requiring increased brake pedal force. Turning off the vehicle while moving may cause loss of power assist in the brake and steering systems and disable the airbags. While driving, only shut the vehicle off in an emergency. 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Driving and Operating Starting the Engine Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped. Starting Procedure 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-18 Black plate (18,1) Driving and Operating Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Engine Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm‐ up in cold weather conditions at or below −18°C (0°F).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Driving and Operating The power windows, heated seats, and sunroof will work until any door is opened. The radio continues to work until the driver door is opened. 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑26 for more information. All these features operate when the key is in the ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY. 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-20 Black plate (20,1) Driving and Operating Torque Lock Shifting out of Park 2. Press the shift lever button. Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. This happens when parking on a hill and shifting the transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and then it is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Driving and Operating Engine Exhaust { WARNING Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and even death. Exhaust may enter the vehicle if: . The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation (parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that may block underbody airflow or tail pipes). . The exhaust smells or sounds strange or different. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-22 Black plate (22,1) Driving and Operating { WARNING It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Driving and Operating system. You must fully apply the brake pedal then press the shift lever button before you can shift from P (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting out of Park on page 9‑20. R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-24 Black plate (24,1) Driving and Operating While driving in manual mode, the transmission will remain in the driver selected gear. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will automatically shift into 2 (Second) gear. The Driver Information Center (DIC) in the instrument cluster will change from the currently displayed message to the letter “M,” for Manual position, and a number indicating the requested gear.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Driving and Operating Brakes Antilock Brake System (ABS) This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid. When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-26 Black plate (26,1) Driving and Operating Parking Brake feel the pedal release. If the parking brake is not released when you begin to drive, the brake system warning light comes on and a chime sounds as a warning that the parking brake is still on. The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also display in the Driver Information Center (DIC) as a reminder to release the parking brake. See Brake System Messages on page 5‑25.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Driving and Operating Ride Control Systems Traction Control System (TCS) The vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the front wheels are spinning too much or are beginning to lose traction.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-28 Black plate (28,1) Driving and Operating To turn the system off or on, press and release this button located on the center console. The traction off light comes on and the DIC will display the appropriate message as described previously when the button is pressed.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Driving and Operating Adding non‐dealer accessories can affect the vehicle's performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10‑3 for more information. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) The vehicle has an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which combines antilock brake, traction and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-30 Black plate (30,1) Driving and Operating If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system begins to assist the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will flash and the cruise control will automatically disengage. The cruise control system may be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 9‑31. The ESC/TCS button is located on the instrument panel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Driving and Operating Cruise Control Cruise control lets a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more be maintained without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph). When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-32 Black plate (32,1) Driving and Operating Setting Cruise Control Resuming a Set Speed If the cruise button is on when not in use, it could get bumped and go into cruise when not desired. Keep the cruise control switch off when cruise is not being used. If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then the brakes are applied, the cruise control is disengaged without erasing the set speed from memory.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Driving and Operating Using Cruise Control on Hills How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle at a lower speed. When the brakes are applied this ends the cruise control.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-34 Black plate (34,1) Driving and Operating See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 9‑36. For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Recommended Fuel on page 9‑34. Recommended Fuel If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code 1) or the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code U), use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Driving and Operating Fuels in Foreign Countries Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you will be driving.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-36 Black plate (36,1) Driving and Operating Fuels containing MMT can reduce spark plug life and affect emission control system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer for service. Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Driving and Operating Filling the Tank If the cap is not properly installed, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp come on. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑14 for more information. { WARNING Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when refueling.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-38 Black plate (38,1) Driving and Operating { WARNING If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant. Leave the area immediately. Notice: If a new fuel cap is needed, be sure to get the right type of cap from your dealer.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Driving and Operating Towing General Towing Information Only use towing equipment that has been designed for the vehicle. Contact your dealer or trailering dealer for assistance with preparing the vehicle for towing a trailer. See the following trailer towing information in this section: . For information on driving while towing a trailer, see “Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.” .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-40 Driving and Operating Pulling a Trailer Here are some important points: . . . . Black plate (40,1) There are many laws, including speed limit restrictions that apply to trailering. Check for legal requirements with state or provincial police. Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1 600 km (1,000 miles) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Driving and Operating Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. To move the trailer to the left, move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. Making Turns Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-42 Black plate (42,1) Driving and Operating Parking on Hills { WARNING Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer attached can be dangerous. If something goes wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Driving and Operating Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 454 kg (1,000 lbs). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature, and how much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend on any special equipment on the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-44 Black plate (44,1) Driving and Operating After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving some items around in the trailer. Towing Equipment Safety Chains Hitches Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires . Always attach chains between the vehicle and the trailer.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Driving and Operating Conversions and Add-Ons Add-On Electrical Equipment Notice: Do not add anything electrical to the vehicle unless you check with your dealer first. Some electrical equipment can damage the vehicle and the damage would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other components from working as they should.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 9-46 Black plate (46,1) Driving and Operating 2 NOTES
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Vehicle Care Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 10-3 10-3 10-3 Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4 Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-2 Black plate (2,1) Vehicle Care When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52 Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53 Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55 Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57 Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-57 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Vehicle Care California Proposition 65 Warning Accessories and Modifications Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, many fluids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-4 Black plate (4,1) Vehicle Care Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own Service Work { WARNING It can be dangerous to work on your vehicle if you do not have the proper knowledge, service manual, tools, or parts. Always follow owner manual procedures and consult the service manual for your vehicle before doing any service work. If doing some of your own service work, use the proper service manual.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Vehicle Care Engine Compartment Overview 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-6 Black plate (6,1) Vehicle Care A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑12. F. B. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on page 10‑13. G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 10‑20. C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 10‑8. H. Battery on page 10‑22. D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 10‑8. E.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Vehicle Care 3.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-8 Black plate (8,1) Vehicle Care A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑12. F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Engine Coolant on page 10‑14. B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 10‑19. G. Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 10‑13. C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 10‑8. H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 10‑20. D. Engine Oil Dipstick.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Vehicle Care Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the vehicle must be on level ground. The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑5 for the location of the engine oil dipstick. When to Add Engine Oil L4 Engine Obtaining an accurate oil level reading is essential: 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-10 Black plate (10,1) Vehicle Care Selecting the Right Engine Oil Selecting the right engine oil depends on both the proper oil specification and viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑11. Specification Use and ask for licensed engine oils with the dexos1™ approved certification mark. Engine oils meeting the requirements for the vehicle should have the dexos1 approved certification mark.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Vehicle Care Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in the trash or pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-12 Black plate (12,1) Vehicle Care If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on when the vehicle is started, the engine oil life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure. Automatic Transmission Fluid It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop flames if the engine backfires. Use caution when working on the engine and do not drive with the air cleaner/filter off. 3. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. 4. Align the filter correctly using the alignment tab. 5.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-14 Black plate (14,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan. { WARNING Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Vehicle Care Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added. This mixture: . Gives freezing protection down to −37°C (−34°F), outside temperature. . Gives boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F), engine temperature. . Protects against rust and corrosion. . Will not damage aluminum parts. . Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-16 Black plate (16,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Vehicle Care By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank might be lower. If the level is lower than the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark. 5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated. Notice: If the pressure cap is not tightly installed, coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-18 Black plate (18,1) Vehicle Care If No Steam is Coming from the Engine Compartment If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when the vehicle: . Climbs a long hill on a hot day. . Stops after high-speed driving. . Idles for long periods in traffic. . Tows a trailer. If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of steam: 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Vehicle Care Power Steering Fluid How to Check Power Steering Fluid To check the power steering fluid: If the fluid is at or below the ADD or MIN mark on the dipstick, add just enough fluid to bring the level within the crosshatch area. 1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down. What to Use 2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑5 for reservoir location. 3.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-20 Black plate (20,1) Vehicle Care Driver Information Center (DIC). See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑22 for more information. Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑5 for reservoir location. parts of the washer system. Also, water does not clean as well as washer fluid. . Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it is very cold.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (21,1) Vehicle Care See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required. If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly. For example, installing disc brake pads that are wrong for the vehicle, can change the balance between the front and rear brakes— for the worse.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-22 Black plate (22,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING { WARNING If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You or others could be burned, and the vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system. With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic system, the brakes might not work well. This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (23,1) Vehicle Care Vehicle Storage { WARNING Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you are not careful. See Jump Starting on page 10‑76 for tips on working around a battery without getting hurt. Infrequent Usage: Remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery to keep the battery from running down.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-24 Black plate (24,1) Vehicle Care 3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of P (Park) with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of P (Park), contact your dealer for service. Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check { WARNING When you are doing this check, the vehicle could begin to move. You or others could be injured and property could be damaged.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (25,1) Vehicle Care covered by your warranty. Do not allow the wiper arm to touch the windshield. To replace the wiper blade: 1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from the windshield. Headlamp Aiming Bulb Replacement Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment. For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see Replacement Bulbs on page 10‑30.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-26 Black plate (26,1) Vehicle Care Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps (LS and LT) 2. Remove the two rear convenience net hooks holding the trunk trim and move the trim aside. A. Back‐up Lamp B. Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9 for more information. 3. Remove the three wing nuts (A), which hold the taillamp assembly, from inside the trunk. 4. Remove the taillamp assembly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (27,1) Vehicle Care 10-27 Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps (LTZ) 5. Turn the bulb socket (B) counterclockwise to remove it from the lamp assembly (A). 6. Pull the bulb from the socket (B). A. Back‐up Lamp 7. Install a new bulb. B. Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp 8. Reverse Steps 2 through 5 to reinstall the taillamp assembly (A). 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9 for more information. 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-28 Black plate (28,1) Vehicle Care Back-Up Lamps 3. Remove the three wing nuts (A), which hold the taillamp assembly, from inside 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). 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9 for more information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (29,1) Vehicle Care 10-29 License Plate Lamp To replace the license plate lamp bulb: 2. Remove the push pins holding the trunk trim (B). 3. Move the trim aside far enough to gain access to the bulb assembly (A). 4. Turn the bulb socket (B) counterclockwise to remove it from the lamp assembly. 5. Pull the bulb (A) from the socket (B). 6. Install the new bulb. 7. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to reinstall. 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-30 Black plate (30,1) Vehicle Care 4. Push the new bulb in and turn it clockwise to install. Electrical System 5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall. Electrical System Overload Replacement Bulbs The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to protect against an electrical system overload.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (31,1) Vehicle Care Fuses The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from short circuits by fuses. This greatly reduces the chance of damage caused by electrical problems. To check a fuse, look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size and rating.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-32 Black plate (32,1) Vehicle Care Fuses The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses, relays, and features shown.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (33,1) Vehicle Care Fuses 19 Usage Run Relay, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Blower 20 Body Control Module 1 21 Body Control Module Run/Crank Fuses Usage 43 Ignition Module (LE9 & LE5); Injectors, Ignition Coils Odd (LY7) 44 Injectors (LE9 & LE5); Injectors, Ignition Coils Even (LY7) 22 Rear Electrical Center 1 45 Post Cat 02 Sensor Heaters (LY7) 23 Rear Electrical Center 2 46 Daytime Running Lamps 24 Antilock Brake System 47
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-34 Vehicle Care Diodes 27 Black plate (34,1) Usage Wiper Instrument Panel Fuse Block The instrument panel fuse block is located on the instrument panel near the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle. Remove the panel cover to access the 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (35,1) Vehicle Care Fuses HVAC BLOWER HIGH Usage Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Blower - High Speed Relay Instrument Panel CLUSTER / Cluster, Theft THEFT Deterrent System ONSTAR OnStar® (If Equipped) NOT Not Used INSTALLED AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag (Ignition) HVAC CTRL (BATT) Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Control Diagnostic Link Connector (Battery) PEDAL Not Used WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/ Washer Switch IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch Fuses
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-36 Black plate (36,1) Vehicle Care Rear Compartment Fuse Block The rear compartment fuse block is located in the trunk of the vehicle. Access 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (37,1) Vehicle Care Fuses Usage 7 Not Used 8 Not Used 9 Not Used 10 Sunroof Controls 11 Not Used 12 Not Used 13 Audio Amplifier 14 Heated Seat Controls 15 Not Used 16 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, XM™ Satellite Radio (If Equipped) Fuses Usage Relays Usage 19 Not Used 31 Not Used 20 Auxiliary Power Outlets 32 Not Used 33 Back-up Lamps 21 Not Used 34 Not Used 22 Trunk Release 35 Not Used 23 Rear Defog 36 Tru
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-38 Black plate (38,1) Vehicle Care Wheels and Tires Tires WARNING (Continued) . Every new GM vehicle has high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. See the warranty manual for information regarding the tire warranty and where to get service. For additional information refer to the tire manufacturer. . { WARNING . . Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (39,1) Vehicle Care Winter Tires Consider installing winter tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on snow or ice covered roads is expected. All season tires provide good overall performance on most surfaces, but they may not offer the traction or the same level of performance as winter tires on snow or ice covered roads. Winter tires, in general, are designed for increased traction on snow and ice covered roads.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-40 Black plate (40,1) Vehicle Care criteria have a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines. Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire Example (A) Tire Size: The tire size is a combination of letters and numbers used to define a particular tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type, and service description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this section for more detail.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (41,1) Vehicle Care regular road tire has lost air and gone flat. If the vehicle has a compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on page 10‑75 and If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10‑58. Compact Spare Tire Example (A) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-42 Black plate (42,1) Vehicle Care Tire Designations Tire Size The following is an example of a typical passenger vehicle tire size. (A) Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire: The United States version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the first character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (43,1) Vehicle Care Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is located between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made from steel or other reinforcing materials. Bead: The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim. Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the plies are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-44 Black plate (44,1) Vehicle Care Maximum Load Rating: The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire. model name molding that is higher or deeper than the same moldings on the other sidewall of the tire. Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity weight, and production options weight.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (45,1) Vehicle Care tire's traction, temperature, and treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using government testing procedures. The ratings are molded into the sidewall of the tire. See Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 10‑55. recommended inflation pressure. See “Tire and Loading Information Label” under Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-46 Black plate (46,1) Vehicle Care Information label, see Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10. How the vehicle is loaded affects vehicle handling and ride comfort. Never load the vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry. When to Check Check the tires once a month or more. Do not forget the compact spare tire, if the vehicle has one. The cold compact spare should be at 420 kPa (60 psi).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (47,1) Vehicle Care Set the cold tire inflation pressure to 241 kPa (35 psi) for the front and rear tires, when operating the vehicle at high-speeds. Return the tires to the recommended cold tire inflation pressure when high-speed driving has ended. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10 and Tire Pressure on page 10‑45. Tire Pressure Monitor System The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-48 Black plate (48,1) Vehicle Care tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10‑48 for additional information. mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (49,1) Vehicle Care The TPMS system can warn about a low tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection on page 10‑51, Tire Rotation on page 10‑51 and Tires on page 10‑38. Notice: Tire sealant materials are not all the same. A non-approved tire sealant could damage the TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor damage caused by using an incorrect tire sealant is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-50 . Black plate (50,1) Vehicle Care Operating electronic devices or being near facilities using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction. If the TPMS is not functioning properly, it cannot detect or signal a low tire condition. See your dealer for service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message come on and stay on. TPMS Sensor Matching Process Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (51,1) Vehicle Care 8. The driver side rear turn signal comes on to indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5. 9. After hearing the single horn chirp for the driver side rear tire, two additional horn chirps sound to indicate the tire learning process is done. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-52 Black plate (52,1) Vehicle Care Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 10‑48. Check that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and Specifications on page 12‑2. Use this rotation pattern when rotating the tires. Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire rotation.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (53,1) Vehicle Care maintenance affect how fast aging takes place. Tires will typically need to be replaced due to wear before they may need to be replaced due to age. Consult the tire manufacturer for more information on when tires should be replaced. Vehicle Storage Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires. Treadwear indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less of tread remaining.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-54 Black plate (54,1) Vehicle Care will be followed by MS for mud and snow. See Tire Sidewall Labeling on page 10‑39 for additional information. GM recommends replacing all the tires at the same time. Uniform tread depth on all tires will help to maintain the performance of the vehicle. Braking and handling performance may be adversely affected if all the tires are not replaced at the same time.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (55,1) Vehicle Care The Tire and Loading Information label indicates the original equipment tires on the vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10 for the label location and more information about the Tire and Loading Information label.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-56 Black plate (56,1) Vehicle Care use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires. While the tires available on General Motors passenger cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these grades, they must also conform to federal safety requirements and additional General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (57,1) Vehicle Care A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-58 Black plate (58,1) Vehicle Care Used Replacement Wheels { WARNING Replacing a wheel with a used one is dangerous. How it has been used or how far it has been driven may be unknown. It could fail suddenly and cause a crash. When replacing wheels, use a new GM original equipment wheel. Tire Chains { WARNING Do not use tire chains. There is not enough clearance.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (59,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING { WARNING Driving on a flat tire will cause permanent damage to the tire. Re-inflating a tire after it has been driven on while severely underinflated or flat may cause a blowout and a serious crash. Never attempt to re-inflate a tire that has been driven on while severely underinflated or flat. Have your dealer or an authorized tire service center repair or replace the flat tire as soon as possible.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-60 Black plate (60,1) Vehicle Care This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jacking equipment to change a spare tire safely, follow the instructions below. Then see Tire Changing on page 10‑66. To use the tire sealant and compressor kit, see Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 10‑60.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (61,1) Vehicle Care If this vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit, there may not be a spare tire, tire changing equipment, and on some vehicles there may not be a place to store a tire. The kit includes: Read and follow all of the tire sealant and compressor kit instructions. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-62 Black plate (62,1) Vehicle Care Do not remove any objects that have penetrated the tire. 1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location. See Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 10‑66. 2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the power plug (G). 3. Place the kit on the ground. When using the tire sealant and compressor kit during cold temperatures, warm the kit in a heated environment for five minutes.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (63,1) Vehicle Care quickly drop and start to rise again as the tire inflates with air only. 10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure using the pressure gauge (D). The recommended inflation pressure can be found on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑45. The pressure gauge (D) may read higher than the actual tire pressure while the compressor is on.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-64 Black plate (64,1) Vehicle Care 18. Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km (5 mi) to distribute the sealant in the tire. 19. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure. Refer to Steps 1 through 11 under “Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit without Sealant to Inflate a Tire (Not Punctured).” If the tire pressure has fallen more than 68 kPa (10 psi) below the recommended inflation pressure, stop driving the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (65,1) Vehicle Care 1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location. See Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 10‑66. 2. Unwrap the air only hose (E) and the power plug (G). 3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to the ground so the hose will reach it. 4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it counterclockwise. 5.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-66 Black plate (66,1) Vehicle Care 14. Return the air only hose (E) and the power plug (G) back to their original locations. 15. Return the equipment to its original storage location in the vehicle. Removal and Installation of the Sealant Canister To remove the sealant canister: 3. Pull up on the canister (A) to remove it. 4. Replace with a new canister which is available from your dealer. 5. Push the new canister into place. 6.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (67,1) Vehicle Care 2. Remove the spare tire cover. 3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the compact spare tire. See Compact 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. 10-67 Tire Changing Tools A. Wheel Wrench B. Jack The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench (A) and jack (B). 1.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-68 Black plate (68,1) Vehicle Care Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10‑58. 3. Extend the handle on the wheel wrench by pressing the button and pulling on the end of the wrench. You must do this before using the wheel wrench. 2. If the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that has plastic wheel nut caps, loosen the plastic nut caps.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (69,1) Vehicle Care 10-69 { WARNING Getting under a vehicle when it is lifted on a jack is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack. 5. Position the lift head at the jack location nearest the flat tire. Make sure all of the jack lift head is touching the jacking flange under the body. Do not place the jack under a body panel. 6.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-70 Black plate (70,1) Vehicle Care { WARNING 8. Remove all of the wheel nuts. 9. Remove the flat tire. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (71,1) Vehicle Care 12. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand or with the wrench until the wheel is held against the hub. 13. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely. 10-71 { WARNING Wheel nuts that are improperly or incorrectly tightened can cause the wheels to become loose or come off.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-72 Black plate (72,1) Vehicle Care Storing a Flat Tire and Tools { WARNING Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. To store the flat tire and jack in the compact spare tire compartment: 3. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it. 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (73,1) Vehicle Care 10-73 7. With the valve stem up, place the tire on the compartment floor with the rear of the tire under the trim panel. The tire may not lay completely flat. 8. Line up the bolt with the wheel center. 6. Place the jack over the bolt (A) on the floor, making sure it contacts the bolt. Thread the jack retainer nut until it contacts the jack. 9.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-74 Black plate (74,1) Vehicle Care Storing the Spare Tire and Tools { WARNING Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 2‑9. 2. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it. 3.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (75,1) Vehicle Care 6. Place the compact spare into the tire compartment with the stow bolt going through the center hole of the wheel. 7. Turn the spare tire retainer nut until it firmly contacts the wheel. Do not over tighten. Compact Spare Tire { WARNING Driving with more than one compact spare tire at a time could result in loss of braking and handling. This could lead to a crash and you or others could be injured.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-76 Black plate (76,1) Vehicle Care Jump Starting For more information about the vehicle battery, see Battery on page 10‑22. If the battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely. { WARNING Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because: . They contain acid that can burn you. . They contain gas that can explode or ignite. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (77,1) Vehicle Care and all lamps that are not needed. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it could save the radio! 4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on each vehicle. Your vehicle's positive (+) terminal and negative (–) terminal are located under a black cover on the battery. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑5 for more information on location.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-78 Black plate (78,1) Vehicle Care Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you will get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on the dead battery because this can cause sparks. 7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. 8.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (79,1) Vehicle Care To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do the following: Towing 1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle that had the dead battery. Towing the Vehicle 2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. Jumper Cable Removal A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (–) Terminal B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote Negative (–) Terminals C.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-80 Vehicle Care Recreational Vehicle Towing Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a motor home. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (81,1) Vehicle Care 10-81 Dolly Towing 4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the following fuse from the instrument panel fuse block: (IGN SENSOR). See Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 10‑34 for more information. 5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY. 6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 7. Release the parking brake. Remember to reinstall the IGN SENSOR fuse once the destination has been reached.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-82 Black plate (82,1) Vehicle Care 3. Set the parking brake. 4. Remove the key from the ignition. 5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly. 6. Release the parking brake. 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. Appearance Care Exterior Care Washing the Vehicle To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it often and out of direct sunlight.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (83,1) Vehicle Care If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter. Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing should be done to remove residue from the paint finish. See your dealer for approved cleaning products. Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may damage it.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-84 Black plate (84,1) Vehicle Care Wheels and Trim — Aluminum or Chrome Use a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and water to clean the wheels. After rinsing thoroughly with clean water, dry with a soft, clean towel. A wax may then be applied. Keep the wheels clean using a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft, clean towel. A wax may then be applied.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (85,1) Vehicle Care Finish Damage Quickly repair minor chips and scratches with touch-up materials available from your dealer to avoid corrosion. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your dealer's body and paint shop. Chemical Paint Spotting Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted vehicle surfaces causing blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-86 Vehicle Care Interior Glass To clean, use a terry cloth fabric dampened with water. Wipe droplets left behind with a clean dry cloth. Commercial glass cleaners may be used, if necessary, after cleaning the interior glass with plain water. Notice: To prevent scratching, never use abrasive cleaners on automotive glass. Abrasive cleaners or aggressive cleaning may damage the rear window defogger.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (87,1) Vehicle Care cleaning and allow them to dry naturally. Never use heat, steam, spot lifters or spot removers. Do not use cleaners that contain silicone or wax-based products. Cleaners containing these solvents can permanently change the appearance and feel of leather or soft trim and are not recommended. Do not use cleaners that increase gloss, especially on the instrument panel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 10-88 Black plate (88,1) Vehicle Care . Use only a single floor mat on the driver side. Removing and Replacing the Floor Mat . Do not place one floor mat on top of another. 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Service and Maintenance Service and Maintenance General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3 Special Application Services Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 Additional Maintenance and Care Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-2 Service and Maintenance Because of the way people use vehicles, maintenance needs vary. There may need to be more frequent checks and services. The Additional Required Services ‐ Normal are for vehicles that: . . . Black plate (2,1) Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10. Are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits. Use the recommended fuel.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Service and Maintenance Maintenance Schedule Owner Checks and Services At Each Fuel Stop . Check the engine oil level. See Engine Oil on page 10‑8. Once a Month . Check the tire inflation pressures. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑45. . Inspect the tires for wear. See Tire Inspection on page 10‑51. . Check the windshield washer fluid level. See Washer Fluid on page 10‑19.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-4 Black plate (4,1) Service and Maintenance . Check tire inflation pressures. See Tire Pressure on page 10‑45. . Visually inspect fuel system for damage or leaks. . Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection on page 10‑51. . Visually inspect exhaust system and nearby heat shields for loose or damaged parts. . Visually check for fluid leaks. . Inspect engine air cleaner filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑12. Lubricate body components.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Service and Maintenance 11-5
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-6 Black plate (6,1) Service and Maintenance Footnotes — Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services — Normal a) Check all fuel and vapor lines and hoses for 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Service and Maintenance 11-7
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-8 Black plate (8,1) Service and Maintenance Footnotes — Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services — Severe Special Application Services Additional Maintenance and Care a) Check all fuel and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook‐up, routing, and condition. Check that the purge valve, if the vehicle has one, works properly. Replace as needed. . Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis components every 5 000 km/3,000 mi. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) Service and Maintenance Battery The battery supplies power to start the engine and operate any additional electrical accessories. . To avoid break‐down or failure to start the vehicle, maintain a battery with full cranking power. . Trained dealer technicians have the diagnostic equipment to test the battery and ensure that the connections and cables are corrosion‐free. Belts . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-10 . Service and Maintenance As part of the multi‐point inspection, trained dealer technicians can visually inspect the shocks and struts for signs of leaking, blown seals, or damage, and can advise when service is needed. Tires Tires need to be properly inflated, rotated, and balanced. Maintaining the tires can save money, fuel, and can reduce the risk of tire failure. . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Service and Maintenance 11-11 Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Usage Engine Oil Engine Coolant Hydraulic Brake System Windshield Washer Hydraulic Power Steering System (if equipped) Automatic Transmission Key Lock Cylinders Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Fluid/Lubricant Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-12 Black plate (12,1) Service and Maintenance Usage Fluid/Lubricant Hood and Door Hinges Weatherstrip Conditioning Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in Canada 10953474). Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 992887).
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Service and Maintenance 11-13 Maintenance Records After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the type of services performed in the boxes provided. Retain all maintenance receipts.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-14 Date Black plate (14,1) Service and Maintenance Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Service and Maintenance Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed 11-15
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 11-16 Date Black plate (16,1) Service and Maintenance Odometer Reading Serviced By Services Performed
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Technical Data Technical Data Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 Vehicle Data Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 Engine Drive Belt Routing . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 12-2 Black plate (2,1) Technical Data Vehicle Data Capacities and Specifications Application Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a Capacities Metric English For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information. Engine Cooling System 2.4L L4 Engine 7.1 L 7.5 qt 3.6L V6 Engines 9.4 L 9.9 qt 4.7 L 5.0 qt Engine Oil with Filter 2.4L L4 Engine 3.6L V6 Engine 5.7 L 6.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Technical Data Capacities Application Wheel Nut Torque Metric English 140 Y 100 ft lb *See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10‑12 for information on checking fluid level. All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling. Engine Specifications Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap 2.4L L4 Engine U Automatic 1.01 mm (0.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 12-4 Black plate (4,1) Technical Data Engine Drive Belt Routing 3.6L V6 Engine 2.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) Customer Information Customer Information Customer Information Customer Satisfaction Procedure (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1 Customer Satisfaction Procedure (Mexico) . . . . . . . . 13-3 Customer Assistance Offices (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . . . . 13-4 Customer Assistance Offices (Mexico) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-2 Customer Information STEP TWO: If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot be resolved by your dealership without further help, in the U.S., call the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. In Canada, call General Motors of Canada Customer Care Centre at 1-800-263-3777 (English), or 1-800-263-7854 (French). We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order to give your inquiry prompt attention.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) Customer Information STEP THREE — Canadian Owners: In the event that you do not feel your concerns have been addressed after following the procedure outlined in Steps One and Two, General Motors of Canada Limited wants you to be aware of its participation in a no-charge Mediation/Arbitration Program. General Motors of Canada Limited has committed to binding arbitration of owner disputes involving factory-related vehicle service claims.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-4 Black plate (4,1) Customer Information However, we recognize that despite the good intentions of all parties involved, sometimes a misunderstanding may occur. If you have a problem that has not been satisfactorily handled through the normal means, we suggest the following steps: STEP ONE Explain your case to your dealer service agent, service manager, dealer sales agent, or sales manager, depending on your case.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) Customer Information Canada General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Care Centre, Mail Code: CA1-163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 www.gm.ca 1-800-263-3777 (English) 1-800-263-7854 (French) 1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs)) Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800 Overseas Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit. 13-5 Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-6 Black plate (6,1) Customer Information Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users (U.S. and Canada) . Storage for online service and maintenance records. Chevrolet Owner Centre (Canada) chevroletowner.ca . Chevrolet dealer locator for service nationwide. To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs), Chevrolet has TTY equipment available at its Customer Assistance Center.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) Customer Information GM Mobility Reimbursement Program (U.S. and Canada) General Motors of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. TTY users call 1-800-263-3830. Roadside Assistance Program (U.S.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-8 Customer Information 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. Services Provided . . . Black plate (8,1) Emergency Fuel Delivery: Delivery of enough fuel for the vehicle to get to the nearest service station. . . Flat Tire Change: Service to change a flat tire with the spare tire.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-10 Customer Information . Lock-Out Service: Service to unlock the vehicle if you are locked out. . Battery Jump Start: Service to jump start a dead battery. . *Emergency Messages: Transmission of urgent phone messages. . *Emergency Calls: Call for emergency services. . *Dealership Location Assistance: Information regarding addresses and telephone numbers for Chevrolet dealers. .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) Customer Information A rental car will be provided for up to two days and the vehicle must be returned to its original destination, excluding vehicles with a carrying capacity greater than 3.5 tons.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-12 . Customer Information Food service, beverages, telephone calls, or other extra costs. Accommodation costs apply only to Mexico per the terms and conditions of the Roadside Assistance program. . Any damage to the vehicle without intent, derived from the services provided. . Cost of towing a trailer when choosing a Chevrolet dealer that is nearest to the temporary storage facility for the disabled vehicle. . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (13,1) Customer Information 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-14 Black plate (14,1) Customer Information 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (15,1) Customer Information 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-16 Black plate (16,1) Customer Information . 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 3‑22.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (17,1) Customer Information 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. Current and Past Models Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available for current and past model GM vehicles.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-18 Black plate (18,1) Customer Information 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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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (19,1) Customer Information Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy The vehicle has a number of 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 them in a crash, and, if equipped, to provide antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 13-20 Black plate (20,1) Customer Information 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.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) OnStar OnStar OnStar Overview OnStar Overview OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1 OnStar Services Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2 14-2 14-2 14-3 14-5 OnStar Additional Information OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 14-2 OnStar Push Q to connect to a live Advisor to: . Verify account information or update contact information. . Get driving directions. Requires the available Directions and Connections service plan. . Receive On-Demand Diagnostics for a check on the vehicle’s key operating systems. . Receive Roadside Assistance. Push ] to get a priority connection to an Emergency Advisor available 24/7 to: . . . Black plate (2,1) Get help for an emergency.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) OnStar Using Voice Commands During a Planned Route Cancel Route 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready,” then a tone. Say “Cancel route.” System responds: “Would you like to cancel route directions to your destination?” 2. Say “Yes.” System responds: “OK, route canceled.” 3. Say “Goodbye.” Exits voice commands. Route Preview 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready,” then a tone. 2. Say “Route Preview.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 14-4 Black plate (4,1) OnStar Hands-Free Calling 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready.” 2. Say “Dial.” System responds: “Please say the name or number to call.” 3. Say the entire number without pausing, including a “1” and the area code. System responds: “OK calling.” Retrieve My Number 1. Push X. System responds: “OnStar ready.” 2. Say “My Number.” System responds: “Your OnStar Hands-Free Calling number is.” Store a Name Tag for Speed Dialing 1. Push X.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) OnStar Diagnostics OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics will perform a vehicle check every month. It will check the engine, transmission, antilock brakes, and major vehicle systems. It also checks the tire pressures, if the vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. If a diagnostics check is needed between e-mails, push Q, and an Advisor can run a check.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 14-6 Black plate (6,1) OnStar OnStar services require a vehicle electrical system, wireless service, and GPS satellite technologies to be available and operating for features to function properly. These systems may not operate if the battery is discharged or disconnected.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) OnStar Onstar.com Warranty The website provides access to account information, manages the OnStar subscription, and allows viewing of videos of each service. Get subscription plan pricing and sign up for OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics. Click on the “My Account” tab on the home page. OnStar equipment may be warranted as part of the new-vehicle limited warranty. The manufacturer of the vehicle furnishes detailed warranty information.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 14-8 Black plate (8,1) OnStar Cellular and GPS Antennas Vehicle and Power Issues Privacy Avoid placing items over or near the antenna to prevent blocking cellular and GPS signal reception. Cellular reception is required for OnStar to send remote signals to the vehicle. OnStar services require a vehicle electrical system, wireless service, and GPS satellite technologies to be available and operating for features to function properly.
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (1,1) INDEX A Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3 Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18 Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45 Additional Information, OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5 Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-12 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5 Air Vents . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-2 Black plate (2,1) INDEX B Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76 Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-24 Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23 Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . .5-17 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (3,1) INDEX Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9 Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-14 Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-75 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-4 Black plate (4,1) INDEX Driving (cont'd) Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . .9-10 Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6 Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8 E E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36 Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45 Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (5,1) INDEX Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-12 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Fuel . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-6 Black plate (6,1) INDEX Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14 Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-18 Heating and Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1, 8-5 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21 High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-46 Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7 Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-7 Hood . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (7,1) INDEX Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12 Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17 Brake System Warning . . . . . . .5-17 Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . .5-19 Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . .5-20 Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-8 Black plate (8,1) INDEX N Navigation OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2 Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 O Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10 Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5 Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-8 Engine Oil Life System . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (9,1) INDEX Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15 Privacy Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-20 Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . 13-13 Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3 R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-20 Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20 Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-10 Black plate (10,1) INDEX S Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16 Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12 Replacing after a Crash . . . . . .3-16 Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 Black plate (11,1) INDEX Storage Areas Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 10-66 Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9 Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012 i-12 Black plate (12,1) INDEX Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42 Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-22 Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12 Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13 Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .