shift CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 6.G Owner's Guide

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need additional
wiring. Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also ash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
When towing a trailer on long uphill grades while the
outside temperature is above 85°F (29°C), reduce your
vehicle speed to 45 mph (72 km/h) to avoid overheating
the engine cooling system.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning to reduce
engine load. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with
a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-47

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transaxle uid (don’t
overll), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29.
4-48

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear, pausing for about
three seconds in each one. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle uid dipstick
handle has this symbol on
it, and is located near
the rear of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
crosshatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-25

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a LOW COOLANT
message, can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no LOW
COOLANT message, but see or hear no steam, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
5-30

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire, on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
5-72

Fuses Usage
POWER MIRRORS Power Mirrors
EPS Electric Power Steering
RUN/CRANKCruise Control, Electronic Range
Select, Driver Shift Control
HVAC BLOWER
HIGH (Relay)Climate Control System
CLUSTER/ THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster,
Theft Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®System
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag System
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Climate Control System
PEDALAdjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal
WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR LIGHTSOverhead Lighting,
Trunk/Cargo Lighting
Fuses Usage
REAR WIPERRear Wiper System/
Washer Pump
HVAC CTRL (IGN) Climate Control System
HVAC BLOWER Climate Control System
DOOR LOCK Automatic Door Lock System
ROOF/HEAT SEATSunroof, Heated Seats,
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror, Compass, Rear Wiper/
Washer System
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (BATT) Airbag System
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
5-101

Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-33.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON, but do
not start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer
for service.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to OFF only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in OFF.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
6-10

Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-44
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-34
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-44
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-21
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-43
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-43
Power Mirrors.............................................2-43
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-96
Parade Dimming.............................................3-19
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-34
Shifting Out of............................................2-35
Park (P) Headlamps Off in Park (P)..................3-16
Parking
Brake........................................................2-33
Over Things That Burn.................................2-36
Passing.........................................................4-15
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-21
Power ............................................................. 1-3
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-21
Door Locks.................................................2-12
Electrical System.........................................5-99
Lift Seat.....................................................1-10
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-24
Steering Fluid.............................................5-36
Windows....................................................2-17
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-34
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-13
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-18
9

S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-34
Reminder Light............................................3-34
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-93
Driver Position............................................1-19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-19
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-18
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-30
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-27
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-27
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-34
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-27
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-14
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-26
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger............................. 1-8
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Passenger Folding Seatback........................... 1-8
Power Lift Seat...........................................1-10
Rear Seat Operation....................................1-10Seats (cont.)
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-54
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-56
Security Light.................................................3-45
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-41
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-69
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-55
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS).....3-55
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-96
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-34
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-35
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-26
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-88
Installing....................................................5-76
Removing...................................................5-73
Storing.......................................5-82, 5-84, 5-86
11