engine CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owner's Manual

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 minus (−) 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 L2,
L3, and L4 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.
127

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 132.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 333.
128

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 must fully apply your regular brake rst 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 134.
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, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 322.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.
129

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
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).
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 DRIVE (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.
130

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

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

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 209
Traction Control System Active Light......... 209
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.... 210
Enhanced Traction System Active Light....... 210
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 211
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 211
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 212
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 215
Security Light............................................ 216
Cruise Control Light.................................. 216
Highbeam On Light................................... 216
Fuel Gage................................................. 217
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 218
DIC Operation and Displays...................... 218
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 222
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 225
Audio System(s)......................................... 228
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 229
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 230Radio with CD (Base Level)...................... 230
Radio with CD (Uplevel)............................ 236
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 246
XM Radio Messages................................. 259
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 261
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(Without Entertainment System)............. 278
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(With Entertainment System).................. 280
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 281
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Three Spoke)........................................ 282
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Four Spoke).......................................... 283
Radio Reception........................................ 284
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 285
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 285
Fixed Mast Antenna (MAXX Only)............. 285
Backglass Antenna (Sedan Only).............. 286
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 286
Section 3 Instrument Panel
166