trunk CHEVROLET MALIBU 2000 5.G User Guide

2-41 Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.
Ashtray and Lighter
The ashtray is located at the lower part of the center of
the instrument panel. To remove the ashtray for cleaning,
pull up on the metal tab and pull the bin out.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
The lighter is located above the ashtray. To use it, just
push it in all the way and let go. When it's ready, it will
pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.

2-45
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Instrument Panel Brightness Control
B. Fog Lamp Switch (If Equipped)
C. Turn Signal Multifunction Lever
D. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped)
E. Instrument Cluster
F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
G. Ignition Switch
H. Hazard Switch
I. Fuse Panels
J. Climate Control SystemK. Accessory Power Outlet
L. Ashtray
M. Lighter
N. Audio System
O. Horn
P. Parking Brake
Q. Tilt Wheel Lever
R. Hood Release
S. Remote Trunk Release Switch
T. Instrument Panel Cupholder

4-24
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.

4-30
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire
-Loading Information
label found on the rear edge of the driver's side rear
passenger door tells you the proper size, speed rating
and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your
vehicle. It also gives you important information about
the number of people that can be in your vehicle and the
total weight that you can carry. This weight is called the
Vehicle Capacity Weight, and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all nonfactory
-installed options.
The other label is the Certification label, found on
the rear edge of the driver's side door. It tells you the
gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out. Don't carry more than 132 lbs. (60 kg) in
your trunk.

4-31
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.

Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as you
can. Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.

5-19 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you'll need
is in the trunk. Turn the
center retainer nut on the
compact spare cover
counterclockwise to
remove it.
Lift and remove the cover. (See ªCompact Spare Tireº
later in this section for more information about the
compact spare.) You will find the jacking instructions
label on the underside of the tire cover.
Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
remove it. Then lift off
the adapter and remove
the spare tire.
Remove the jack and wrench from the trunk. Your
vehicle's jack and wrench are stored in a foam tray.

5-25
12. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a criss cross
sequence, as shown.
CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don't try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare tire.
It won't fit. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut caps in
the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

5-26
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
CAUTION:
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.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full
-size tire as soon as you
can. See ªCompact Spare Tireº later in this section.
See the storage instructions label to replace your
compact spare into your trunk properly.
A. Nut
B. Cover
C. Wing Nut
D. Adapter
E. Wrench
F. Jack
G. Spare Tire

6-7
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.

6-31
4. Press the tab on the white bulb socket and twist it
less than one
-quarter of a turn counterclockwise.
5. Replace the lamp to its original position by carefully
lining up the lamp to the mounting balls.
6. Press down on the two latches. Replace the splash
shield by pushing down on the retainer.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Interior Mounted)
1. Open the trunk and locate the CHMSL housing on
the underside of the rear window shelf.
2. Twist the bulb socket one quarter of a turn to
remove it.
3. Gently remove burned out bulb(s) and replace with a
new one.