CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 6.G Owners Manual

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
9(OFF):This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. It also locks your ignition and
transaxle. A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door while the ignition is off and the key is
left in the ignition.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine
is not running.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-39.
R(ON):This position unlocks the ignition. It is also
the position to where the key returns after you start the
engine and release the switch. The switch will stay
in this position while the engine is running. But even
while the engine is not running, you can use ON
to operate your electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to the ON position for normal driving.
2-23

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in ON or
ACC. Once the key is turned from ON to OFF, the radio
will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or until the
driver’s door is opened.
Your vehicle’s sunroof and heated seats, if equipped,
and the power windows also work this way. They
will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects the electrical system. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position, and then released
when the engine begins cranking, the engine will
continue cranking until the vehicle starts or until it
exceeds the maximum cranking time allowed,
approximately 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent starter-motor gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. The engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or OFF.
Notice:Repeated attempts to start your engine, will
cause your battery to drain much sooner. Excessive
heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key
back from START to ON. Holding the key in START
will not cause the vehicle to keep cranking. Then
push the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor,
while you turn the ignition key to START. When the
engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the
accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
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Use the same instructions as stated earlier, when
starting your engine in very cold weather. It is
recommended that you use the engine block heater,
if equipped, to assist in starting your engine in very
cold weather.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the
position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is
designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot
move farther away from the standard position, but can
move rearward for better pedal reach.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) or have the ignition off
for this feature to operate. If the system senses unusually
high resistance while the pedals are being adjusted, such
as a driver’s foot pushing the brake pedal, it is designed
to disable the switch. Simply remove the obstruction and
try to adjust the pedals again.The switch used to adjust
the pedals is located on
the left side of the
instrument panel.
To use your adjustable throttle and brake pedal feature,
do the following:
The adjustable pedal feature is meant to be used with
the adjustable seat and adjustable steering wheel
controls to reach a safe and comfortable position.
1. Adjust your seat to a comfortable position where
you can comfortably reach other controls such as
the radio and climate controls.
2. Adjust the throttle and brake pedals to reach a
comfortable and safe operating position.
3. Adjust the steering wheel to a safe operating
position.
2-25

Engine Coolant Heater
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater, if your vehicle has this feature, can
help. You will get easier starting and lower fuel usage
during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to
starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C),
use of the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle
may also have an internal thermostat in the plug end
of the cord. This will prevent operation of the engine
coolant heater when the temperature is at or above
0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
the 2.2L engine, the engine coolant heater cord is
located near the air cleaner box on the passenger’s
side of the engine compartment. On the 3.5L and
3.9L V6 engines, the engine coolant heater cord is
located on the driver’s side around the battery box.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where you will be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the
best advice for that particular area.
2-26

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(Base Models)
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your 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.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-42.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brake and press the shift lever button
before you can shift from PARK (P). If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever,
then push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish.
2-27

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in LOW (L2) when
you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and
DRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then.
LOW (L):This position gives you access to FOURTH,
THIRD, SECOND and FIRST gear ranges. This
provides more engine braking but lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the electronic range select
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
lower gears until the vehicle is going slow enough.
2-28

Electronic Range Select Mode
This feature allows you to limit higher gears by
selecting a maximum gear range when the shift lever
is in LOW (L). The button for this mode is located on the
left of the shift lever knob.
When the shift lever is rst moved into LOW (L),
the display in the instrument panel shows L3. Press
the (−) end of the button on the shift lever once for
L2 and once more for L1. Press the plus (+) end of
the button once each to return to L2, L3 and L4. The
shift lever must be moved back to DRIVE (D) to turn
off the electronic range select mode.
L4 (LOW 4):This position does not limit gears, but
provides more engine braking, and lower fuel economy,
than DRIVE (D). The actual gear is determined by
throttle and vehicle speed.
L3 (LOW 3/DRIVE 3):This position prevents fourth gear
operation. Actual gear is determined by throttle and
vehicle speed.L2 (LOW 2/DRIVE 2):This position prevents third and
fourth gear operation. Actual gear is determined by
throttle and vehicle speed. If you shift from L3 to L2 at
vehicle speeds exceeding 80 mph (110 km/h), the
transaxle will not shift into L2 gear until the vehicle is
going slow enough.
L1 (LOW 1/DRIVE 1):This position prevents
SECOND (2), THIRD (3), and FOURTH (4) gear
operation. If you shift from L2 to the L1 position at
vehicle speeds exceeding 40 mph (65 km/h), the
transaxle will not shift into L1 gear until the vehicle
is going slow enough.
2-29

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(SS Models)
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on
the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your 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.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-30

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brake and press the shift lever button
before you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition
key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-35later in
this section.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, allows you to
change gears similar to a manual transaxle. If your
vehicle has this feature, see Driver Shift Control (DSC).
2-31

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
This feature allows you to select lower or higher driving
gears when the shift lever is in MANUAL MODE (M).
The button for this mode is located on the left side of
the shift lever knob.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) rearward into the MANUAL
MODE (M). The vehicle will be in the MANUAL
MODE (M) and a gear based on the current
driving speed.
While driving in MANUAL MODE (M), the transaxle
will remain in the selected drive gear unless:
A shift is required to protect the engine or
transaxle or,
The vehicle slows almost to a stop (the vehicle
will automatically downshift)
2. Press the plus button to upshift or the minus button
to downshift.When the shift lever is rst moved into MANUAL
MODE (M), the display on the instrument panel shows
M1, M2, M3, M4. Position M for the manual mode and
a number representing the gear the transaxle is in.
Press the minus (−) end of the button on the shift
lever to downshift. Press the plus (+) end of the button
to upshift. The shift lever must be moved back to
DRIVE (D) to turn off the manual mode and return
to fully automatic shifting.
While using the Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature
the vehicle will have rmer shifting and increased
performance. You can use this for sport driving or when
climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for
more power or engine braking.
The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM). The transaxle will not automatically
shift to the next higher gear if the engine RPM is
too high.
When coming to a stop in the manual mode, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to the proper gear based
on speed. Upon acceleration you will need to manually
upshift to the desired gear.
2-32