shift CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 6.G User Guide

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

SECOND (2) Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in
snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift
into SECOND (2) 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 (2) gear.
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) into the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press (+) end of the
button to select SECOND (2) gear. The vehicle
will start from a stop position in SECOND (2) gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
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 3-36.
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 will be on and a chime will sound warning
you that the parking brake is still on.
The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) to remind you
to release the parking brake. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-50.
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 4-42.
2-33

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. 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 4-42.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and 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 your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you have moved 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 button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-34

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it 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 2-34.
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 may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, then
you will be able to 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
before you can shift from PARK (P). SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation (Base Models) on page 2-27
orAutomatic Transaxle Operation (SS Models) on
page 2-30.
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 the gear you wish.
Press the shift lever button before moving the
shift lever.
2-35

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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
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 4-27.
{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 your 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 2-34.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-37

Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button
To program a device to Universal Home Remote using
a Universal Home Remote button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired Universal Home
Remote button. Do not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the Universal
Home Remote button, proceed with Step 2 under
“Programming Universal Home Remote” shown
earlier in this section.
For additional information on Universal Home Remote,
seeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, pull the handle down and pull the glove box
door down until it stops and is fully open.
Cupholder(s)
There is one cupholder located at the rear of the shift
lever and one is to the side of the shift lever.
Pull down the door on the back of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholders.
Center Console Storage Area
There is a storage compartment in the center console
area. To open the lower compartment, pull up on
the release at the front edge of the armrest. Your vehicle
may have an accessory power outlet inside of the
storage area. SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-21for more information.
Map Pocket
Your vehicle may have storage pockets located on the
front edge of the seats, the door panels or the back
of the front seats.
2-50

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-22.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Cruise Controls (If Equipped). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Center Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-22.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-54.
J. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-22.
K. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-50.
L. Side Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-22.
M. Adjustable Pedal Buttons (If Equipped). See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 2-25.N. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-19.
O. Storage Compartment.
P. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-18.
Q. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
R. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-33.
S. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
T. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls (Three Spoke) on page 3-105or
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Four Spoke)
on page 3-106.
U. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-21.
V. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-34.
W. Center Console Storage Compartment. See
Center Console Storage Area on page 2-50.
X. Traction Control Button or Enhanced Traction
System Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9 Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-11.
Y. Rear Wiper/Washer Controls (If Equipped).
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-10.
3-5

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you are driving about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the RES+ button on your steering wheel.
The vehicle will go back to your chosen speed and
stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already engaged, press
the RES+ symbol. Hold it there until you get up to the
speed you want, and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ symbol briey and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the set button on the steering wheel
until you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the set
button on the steering wheel briey. Each time you
do this, you’ll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle
will slow down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise
control disengages, the cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will go out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise
control system.
Press the cancel button. When cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument
panel cluster will go out.
3-13

The DRL system will turn your low-beam headlamps on
at a reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
In addition, Canadian vehicles DRL will also turn
on if you have turned on your parking lamps.
The light sensor detects daytime light. See the
end of this section for more information on the
light sensor.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be
illuminated.
The DRL system will be off any time your vehicle is
in PARK (P). The DRL system on U.S. vehicles can
also be turned off by using the off/on switch for
one ignition cycle.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Light Sensor
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel. Make sure it is not covered or the headlamps
may remain on when you do not need them. The light
sensor for the DRL and Automatic Headlamp features
is located on top of the instrument panel.
The automatic headlamp system may be on when
driving through a parking garage, heavy outcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
system will turn on your headlamps at the normal
brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, instrument
panel lights, and interior switch backlighting.
Make sure the light sensor is not covered. See “Light
Sensor” inDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 3-16.
3-17

Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil
life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4andEngine Oil on page 5-17.
Personalization
MENU:Press this button while the vehicle is in ON
to scroll through each of the personalization options
in the following order. If the vehicle is moving faster
than 2 mph (3 km/h), the personalization menu options
are not available, except for the UNITS option. All of
the personalization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on your DIC.
Units Selection (English/Metric)
Oil Life Reset
Remote Start Capability
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless Entry Locking
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless Entry Unlocking
Exterior Light Flash During Remote Keyless
Entry Locking or Unlocking
Delayed Locking
Automatic Vehicle Unlocking: Specic Doors
Automatic Vehicle Unlocking: When Key is Off or
When Shift To Park
Exterior Perimeter Lighting During Remote Keyless
Entry Unlock
Select Language: (English, French, Spanish or
German)
When the desired option is reached, press the enter
button to toggle between the modes of that option.
To make a selection, press the MENU button again.
If no selection is made within 10 seconds, the display
will revert back to the previous information displayed.
The MENU mode is exited when the information button
is pressed, a 10 second time period has elapsed,
the ignition is turned to OFF, or the end of the MENU
list is reached.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-52for
more information on the personalization options.
Enter
ENTER/r(Enter):Press this button to reset certain
functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC display. This button also toggles through
the options available in each personalization menu.
3-49