CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owners Manual

When the shift lever is rst moved into MANUAL
MODE (M), the display on the instrument panel
cluster 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.Second Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in
snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift
the gear select tap switch into Second gear.
A higher gear allows you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.
With the DSC feature, the vehicle can be set to
pull away in Second gear.
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) into the
MANUAL MODE (M).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press (+) end of the
button to select Second gear. The vehicle will
start from a stop position in Second gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
131

Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake, push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot. If the
ignition is on, the brake
system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light
on page 206.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down
momentarily on the parking brake pedal with
your left foot until you 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.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 222.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 333.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
132

CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 333.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing
the button on the shift lever while pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before leaving
it. After moving the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pushing the shift lever button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked in PARK (P).
133

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle can put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transaxle. It could be difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
“torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set
the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd
out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on page 132.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift
lever out of PARK (P)beforeyou release the
parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might need to have
another vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill
to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, this should let you pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift
lock control system. You have to apply your
regular brake rst and then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from PARK (P).
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation (Base Models)
on page 124orAutomatic Transaxle Operation
(SS Models) on page 128.
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 press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
134

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
135

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system
has been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
136

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But
if you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 136.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is
at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park
in a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 317.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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 the parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 132.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling
a trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 333.
137

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to
adjust the angle of the mirror, move the mirror
to a position that allows you to see out of the
back window. To adjust the height of the mirror,
adjust the support that connects the mirror to
the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move
the lever toward you to the night position.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a
knob located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used
to change the mirror from day to night position.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you while
driving at night, rotate the knob clockwise. For
daytime driving, turn the knob counterclockwise.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located
at the bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer
for more information on the system and how
to subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System
on page 144for more information about the
services OnStar
®provides.
138

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass and OnStar®
controls. For more information about OnStar®,
seeOnStar®System on page 144.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time
the vehicle is started. To turn automatic dimming
off or on, press the left button below the mirror.
A green indicator light will be on when automatic
dimming is on.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer/retailer
for more information on the system and how
to subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System
on page 144for more information about the
service OnStar
®provides.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
a few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror
will display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show
a compass direction, (N for North for example),
there may be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, note pad
holder, or similar object. If the letter C appears
in the compass window, the compass may need
to be reset or calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
139

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between
earth’s magnetic north and true geographic north.
If the mirror is not adjusted for compass
variance, the compass could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving
the factory. It will be 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 will be necessary to adjust
the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance
zone number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a
zone number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the
display, press the on/off button quickly
until you reach the correct zone number.
If C appears in the compass window,
the compass may need calibration. See
“Compass Calibration” listed previously.
140