traction control CHEVROLET MALIBU 2017 9.G Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
280 Vehicle Care
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories ormaking modifications to the vehiclecan affect vehicle performance andsafety, including such things asairbags, braking, stability, ride andhandling, emissions systems,aerodynamics, durability, andelectronic systems like antilockbrakes, traction control, and stabilitycontrol. These accessories ormodifications could even causemalfunction or damage not coveredby the vehicle warranty.
Damage to suspension componentscaused by modifying vehicle heightoutside of factory settings will not becovered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle componentsresulting from modifications or theinstallation or use of non-GMcertified parts, including controlmodule or software modifications, isnot covered under the terms of thevehicle warranty and may affectremaining warranty coverage foraffected parts.
GM Accessories are designed tocomplement and function with othersystems on the vehicle. See yourdealer to accessorize the vehicleusing genuine GM Accessoriesinstalled by a dealer technician.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to theAirbag-Equipped Vehicle081.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own servicework, use the proper servicemanual. It tells you much moreabout how to service the vehiclethan this manual can. To order theproper service manual, seeServicePublications OrderingInformation0392.
This vehicle has an airbag system.Before attempting to do your ownservice work, seeServicing theAirbag-Equipped Vehicle081.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 333
of grease, gasoline, or othersubstances that can deterioraterubber.
Parking for an extended period cancause flat spots on the tires thatmay result in vibrations whiledriving. When storing a vehicle forat least a month, remove the tires orraise the vehicle to reduce theweight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. SeeTire Sidewall
Labeling0320.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires should wear out at
about the same time. SeeTire
Rotation0331.However,ifitis
necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y a n d Z R s p e e d r a t e d
tires. Never exceed the winter
tires’maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
334 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
Atireand/orwheelcouldfail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System0327.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. SeeVehicle Load
Limits0222.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed thatare a different size than the originalequipment wheels and tires, vehicleperformance, including its braking,ride and handling characteristics,stability, and resistance to rollovermay be affected. If the vehicle haselectronic systems such as antilockbrakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,or All-Wheel Drive, the performanceof these systems can also beaffected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
SeeBuying New Tires0333andAccessories andModifications0280.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 335
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AATemperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1Ω) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 337
Warning (Continued)
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
acrash.Alwaysusethecorrect
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has 245/45R18 or
245/40R19 size tires, do not use
tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount
of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a
tire size other than 245/45R18 or
245/40R19, use tire chains only
where legal and only when
necessary. Use low profile chains
that add no more than 12 mm
thickness to the tire tread and
inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 351
2. Screw the extension bolt ontothe end of the spare tire stowbolt by hand.
3. Replace the foam, jack, andtools in their original storagelocation.
4. Remove the insulator pad andplace it over the foam holder toprotect the wheel of the flat tirefrom the jack.
5. Place the tire facing down overthe extension bolt.
6. Turn the retainer nut clockwiseto secure the tire.
7. Place the floor cover on thewheel.
The compact spare is for temporaryuse only. Replace the compactspare tire with a full-size tire assoon as you can.
Compact Spare Tire
{Warning
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact sparetire, it was fully inflated when new;however, it can lose air over time.Check the inflation pressureregularly. It should be 420 kPa(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and checkthat the spare tire is correctlyinflated after being installed on thevehicle. The compact spare tire isdesigned for temporary use only.The vehicle will perform differently
with the spare tire installed and it isrecommended that the vehiclespeed be limited to 80 km/h(50 mph). To conserve the tread ofthe spare tire, have the standard tirerepaired or replaced as soon asconvenient and return the spare tireto the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,the AWD (if equipped), ABS, andTraction Control systems mayengage until the spare tire isrecognized by the vehicle,especially on slippery roads. Adjustdriving to reduce possiblewheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare onother vehicles.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 409
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 102
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 122
Check
Malfunction Indicator
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 85
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96, 98
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 205
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 112, 114
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 390
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 339
Connections
OnStar®...................... 399
Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Temperature Gauge . . .119
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 208
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 293, 294
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 245
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y )
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 392
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 390
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 396
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 395
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Diagnostics
OnStar®...................... 401
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 413
Lights (cont'd)
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 120
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Service Electric Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
StabiliTrak®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®.......... 127
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . 128, 129
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Maintenance and Care
Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 369
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 122
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Media
Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . 184
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Messages
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 140
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Object Detection System . . . . . 142
Messages (cont'd)
Propulsion Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 145
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 49
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Index 417
T
Ta c h o m e t e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 7
Ta i l l a m p s
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 307, 308
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y ) U s e r s . . . . 3 8 6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 47
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 328
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 327
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tires (cont'd)
Sealant and Compressor
Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Te r m i n o l o g y a n d D e f i n i t i o n s . . 3 2 2
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 336
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
To w i n g
Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 272
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 272
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 356
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Trailer
To w i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 5
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Turn Signal
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 307, 308
U
Umbrella Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 335
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 159
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle
Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216