CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 Repair Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down on the child restraint. You may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down
on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
directions to be sure it is secure.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt \
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.
1-48

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
Accident statistics show that children
are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In
a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
What
if‘ a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child
is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position,
see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If
the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child’s face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.
1-50

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine .
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right
on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be
worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs.
This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender, It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit.
To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can
rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened
or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time
of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special\

part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in
this section.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-6
2- 10
2-11
2- 12
2- 13
2- 13
2-
14
2- 17
2-18
2-22
2-23
2-25
2-25
2-26 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Passlock’
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust 2-26
2-27
2-28
2-29
2-36
2-38
2-39
2-4 1
2-43
2-44
2-44
2-45
2-45
2-46 2-50 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Lighter Sunvisors
Accessory Power Outlet
Garment
Hook
Sunroof
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
2-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine One key is used for the
ignition and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has a
bar-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before
it is delivered. Each tag has
a key code on
it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith
how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in
a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have one made easily using this tag.
If you need a new key,
go to your dealer for the correct
key code.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Door Locks From the outside, use your key or Keyless Entry
System, if your vehicle has this option.
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When
a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash
if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
From the inside, to lock the door, move the locking
lever forward.
To unlock
the door, move the locking lever rearward.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
2-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Door Locks (If Equipped) Rear Door Security Locks
With the power
door locks,
you can unlock or lock all
of the doors of your vehicle
from the driver or front
passenger door lock switch.
Pull
up on the switch to unlock all of the doors. Push
down on it to lock all the doors.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors of your vehicle is not closed
properly, the ignition is on and
you shift from PARK (P)
or
NEUTRAL (N), you will hear a chime. Also, the
Door Ajar light on the instrument panel will come
on and stay
on until the doors are closed and
completely latched.
Your vehicle is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors of your
vehicle from the inside.
The switch is located
on the inside of the rear door. To
use the security locks:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.