traction control CHEVROLET MALIBU 2016 8.G Owners Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
4 Introduction
Q:OnStar
O:Power
9:Ready
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 20
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 23
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 23
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Universal Remote System . . . . . 24
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
High Voltage Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . . 26 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 28
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0212ii.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 164
ii.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) 0110
iior Instrument
Cluster (Uplevel) 0112ii.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0129
iior Driver
Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0132
ii.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0104
ii.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0163
ii.
6. Infotainment 0168
ii.
7. Climate Control Systems
0206
ii.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0209
ii(If Equipped).
8. Hazard Warning Flashers
0164
ii.
9. Power Outlets 0107
ii.
10. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241
ii. Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing
0253
ii(If
Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0234
ii.
12. Electric Parking Brake 0238
ii(If
Equipped).
13. USB Port 0181
ii.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button. SeeIgnition Positions 0226
ii.
15. Steering Wheel Controls
0103
ii.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0 129
iior Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0132ii.
16. Horn 0104
ii.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0103
ii.
18. Cruise Control 0243
ii.
Heated Steering Wheel 0104
ii(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0257
ii(If Equipped). Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
0265
ii(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See Hood
0 282
ii.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0120
ii.
21. Exterior Lamp Controls 0161
ii.
22. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0165
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
In Brief 19
pedal. L2 (Low 2) provides moderate
braking and L1 (Low 1) provides
maximum braking below 80 km/h
(50 mph). When the battery reaches
full charge the engine may run to
maintain braking.
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Low). The transmission will enter
L2 (Low 2).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to shift between
L2 (Low 2) and L1 (Low 1).
See Manual Mode 0235
ii.
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
Base radio information is included in
this manual. See the infotainment
manual for information on other
available infotainment systems.
Read the following pages to
become familiar with these features.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road for
too long or too often while using
any infotainment feature can
cause a crash. You or others
could be injured or killed. Do not
give extended attention to
infotainment tasks while driving.
Limit your glances at the vehicle
displays and focus your attention
on driving. Use voice commands
whenever possible.
The infotainment system has built-in
features intended to help avoid
distraction by disabling some
functions when driving. These functions may gray out when they
are unavailable. Many infotainment
features are also available through
the instrument cluster and steering
wheel controls.
Before driving:
.
Become familiar with the
operation, faceplate buttons, and
screen buttons.
. Set up the audio by presetting
favorite stations, setting the
tone, and adjusting the
speakers.
. Set up phone numbers in
advance so they can be called
easily by pressing a single
button or by using a single voice
command if equipped with
Bluetooth phone capability.
See Defensive Driving 0217
ii.
To play the infotainment system with
the ignition off, see Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0231
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
In Brief 27
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery. When a new standard
12-volt battery is needed, see your
dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. Only a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools should
inspect, test, or replace the hybrid
battery. See your dealer if the high
voltage hybrid battery needs
service. SeeBattery - North
America 0302
ii.
Service
Never try to do your own service on
hybrid components. You can be
injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair of
these hybrid components should
only be performed by a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work 0281
ii.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started and begins to move.
The StabiliTrak system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system turns on automatically every
time the vehicle is started and
begins to move.
.
To turn off traction control, press
and release
gon the center
console.
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster.
. Press and release
gagain to
turn on traction control. .
To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
gon the center console,
until
iandgilluminate in the
instrument cluster.
. Press and release
gagain to
turn on both systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241
ii.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
102 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 103
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 103
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 104
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 104
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Instrument Cluster (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Instrument Cluster
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Tachometer (Non-Hybrid) . . . . . 115
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Power Indicator Gauge (Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 117
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 118
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 119
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 120
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 123
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 124
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 124
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 125
Low Fuel Warning Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Vehicle Ready Light
(Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 127
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 127
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 127
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 128
Information Displays
Center Stack Display . . . . . . . . . 128
Power Flows (Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . 128
Energy Information (Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Brake System Messages . . . . . 136
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 137
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 137
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 139
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 139
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 139

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
124 Instruments and Controls
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
SeeForward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0257
ii.
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, one of these indicators
will display when a nearby
pedestrian is detected directly in
front of the vehicle. See
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0261
ii.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak OFF
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241
ii.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the StabiliTrak systems, and the
warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Instruments and Controls 125
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled. A DIC
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241
ii.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. See Tire Messages 0144
ii.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire Pressure
0 325
ii. When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0328
ii.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Instruments and Controls 141
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
some last-second automatic braking
capability is still provided, though
less likely to occur. SeeFront
Automatic Braking (FAB) System
0 259
ii.
AUTOMATIC COLLISION PREP
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Front Automatic Braking (FAB)
System has been unavailable for
some time. The FAB System does
not need service.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.
The front of the vehicle or
windshield is not clean. Keep
these areas clean and free of
mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush.
For cleaning instructions, see
Exterior Care 0358
ii.
. Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the object detection
performance. This message may also be
displayed if there is a problem with
the StabiliTrak system. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 241
ii
FORWARD COLLISION
ALERT OFF
This message displays when the
Forward Collision Alert has been
turned off.
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
camera is blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue. The Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), and
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) will
not operate. Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC), Forward Collision Alert
(FCA), and the Front Automatic
Braking (FAB) System may not work
or may not work as well.
LANE CHANGE ALERT OFF
This message indicates that the
driver has turned the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) and Lane
Change Alert (LCA) systems off.
LANE KEEPING ASSIST
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system is
temporarily unavailable. The LKA
system does not need service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
Parking Assist system has been
turned off or when there is a
temporary condition causing the
system to be disabled.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
142 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
COLLISION PREP
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST
SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
Forward Collision Alert (FCA),
Active Emergency Braking System,
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing, and/or Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) system may not work. Do not
use these systems until the vehicle
has been repaired.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Take the vehicle to your
dealer. Do not use the Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB), Forward
Collision Alert (FCA), FrontAutomatic Braking (FAB), Lane
Keep Assist (LKA), and Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) features.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA), Lane Change Alert (LCA),
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
features will not work. Take the
vehicle to your dealer.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), Lane
Change Alert (LCA), and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or thevehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where
there is insufficient data for
operation. This message may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
"Washing the Vehicle" under
Exterior Care
0358
ii.
TAKE STEERING
If LKA does not detect active driver
steering, an alert and chime may be
provided. Move the steering wheel
to dismiss. See Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) 0265
ii.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message is displayed, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service.