automatic transmission CHEVROLET MALIBU 2018 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
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
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 23
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 24
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Universal Remote System . . . . . 25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Regenerative Braking (Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 29
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0203.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 158.
IntelliBeam System Button
(If Equipped). See Exterior
Lamp Controls 0154.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) 0112 orInstrument
Cluster (Uplevel) 0114.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0134 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0106.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0157.
6. Infotainment 0162.
7. Climate Control Systems
0196.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0199 (If Equipped).
8. Hazard Warning Flashers
0157.
9. Power Outlets 0109. 10.
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0231.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0243
(If Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0224.
12. Electric Parking Brake 0228.
13. USB Port 0176.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button. SeeIgnition Positions 0216.
15. Steering Wheel Controls 0105.
Driver Information Center
Buttons.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0134 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131.
16. Horn 0106.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0105.
18. Cruise Control 0233.
Adaptive Cruise Control 0235
(If Equipped). Heated Steering Wheel
0106
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0247 (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0255
(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See Hood
0 271.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0122.
21. Exterior Lamp Controls 0154.
22. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0158.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
18 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
1. Driver and Passenger Ventilated Seats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. MAX Defrost
4. Air Delivery Mode Controls
5. A/C (Air Conditioning) or Max/ Eco Air Conditioning (Stop/
Start Only)
6. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If Equipped) 7. SYNC
8. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
9. Fan Controls
10. Power (On/Off)
11. Recirculation
12. Rear Window Defogger
See Climate Control Systems 0196
or Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0199 (If Equipped).
Transmission
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the current
gear that has been selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
See Manual Mode 0225.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
26 In Brief
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Vehicle Operation
The hybrid vehicle combines
gasoline and electric propulsion to
drive the vehicle. The gas engine
will automatically start to provide
power. It will shut off to save fuel.
The engine may remain
running when:
.There is aggressive acceleration
or climbing hills.
. Vehicle speed is greater than
88 km/h (55 mph).
. The high voltage battery is
charging.
. The heater is being used.
The engine and transmission work
together to provide the required
power at the highest efficiency. This
may result in higher engine speeds.
See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 029.
High Voltage Safety
Information
{Warning
Exposure to high voltage can
cause shock, burns, and even
death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering or labels. Do not
probe, tamper with, cut, or modify
high voltage cable or wiring.
This vehicle has a high voltage
battery and a standard 12-volt
battery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down the
high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can be
operated again, it must be serviced
at your dealer.
{Warning
Damage to the high voltage
battery or high voltage system
can create a risk of electric shock,
overheating, or fire.
If the vehicle is damaged from a
moderate to severe crash, flood,
fire, or other event, the vehicle
should be inspected as soon as
possible. Until the vehicle has
been inspected, store it outside at
least 15 m (50 ft) from any
structure or anything that can
burn. Ventilate the vehicle by
opening a window or a door.
Contact Customer Assistance as
soon as possible to determine
whether an inspection is needed.
See
Customer Assistance Offices
0 377.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Keys, Doors, and Windows 43
elapsed, the five-second timer will
reset once all the doors are closed
again.
Press
Qon the door lock switch
again, or press
Qon the RKE
transmitter, to override this feature
and lock the doors immediately.
Delayed locking can be
programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically
when all doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park).
If a vehicle door is unlocked, and
then opened and closed, the doors
will lock either when your foot is
removed from the brake or the
vehicle speed becomes faster than
13 km/h (8 mph).
To unlock the doors:
.
Press
Kon the power door lock
switch. .
Shift the transmission into
P (Park).
Automatic door locking cannot be
disabled. Automatic door unlocking
can be programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
Lockout Protection
If the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and the power door
lock switch is pressed with the
driver door open, all the doors will
lock and only the driver door will
unlock.
If the vehicle is off and locking is
requested while a door is open,
when all doors are closed the
vehicle will check for RKE
transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is detected and the
number of RKE transmitters inside
has not reduced, the driver door will
unlock and the horn will chirp three
times. Lockout Protection can be manually
overridden with the driver door open
by pressing and holding
Qon the
power door lock switch.
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
If Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout has
been turned on and the vehicle is
off, the driver door is open, and
locking is requested, all the doors
will lock and the driver door will
remain unlocked. Push the lock
button on the door or the RKE
transmitter a second time to lock the
driver door. The Unlocked Door
Anti-Lockout feature can be turned
on or off. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
60 Seats and Restraints
2. Start the vehicle with the initialkey or RKE transmitter. The
DIC should display the other
driver number not shown in
step 1.
Saving Memory Positions
Read these instructions completely
before saving memory positions.
To save preferred driving positions
1 and 2: 1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
A DIC welcome message may
be displayed indicating number
1 or 2 for memory recalls.
2. Adjust all available memory features to the desired driving
position.
3. Press and release SET; a beep will sound.
4. Immediately press and hold the 1 or 2 memory button matching
the above DIC welcome
message until two beeps
sound. If too much time passes
between releasing SET and
pressing 1, the memory
position will not be saved and
two beeps will not sound.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4.
1 or 2 corresponds to the driver
number. See
“Identifying Driver
Number” in this section.
5. Repeat Steps 1–4 for a second driver using 1 or 2.
To save the position for
Band
easy exit features, repeat Steps 1–4
using
B. This stores the position
for getting out of the vehicle.
Save preferred memory feature
positions to both 1 and 2 if you are
the only driver.
Manually Recalling Memory
Positions
Press and hold 1, 2, or
Bto recall
the previously stored memory
positions.
To stop manual recall movement,
release 1, 2, or
B. Recall can also
be stopped by pressing a power seat, SET, or power mirror control,
if memory equipped. The driver or
passenger side mirror must be
selected.
Auto Memory Recall
The vehicle identifies the number of
the current driver
’s RKE transmitter
(1–8). See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 032. If the
RKE transmitter is 1 or 2, and Auto
Memory Recall is programmed on in
vehicle personalization, the
positions saved to the same
memory button number 1 or 2 are
automatically recalled when the
ignition is turned on, or turned from
off to ACC/ACCESSORY. RKE
transmitters 3–8 will not provide
automatic memory recalls.
To turn Auto Memory Recall on or
off, see "Vehicle Personalization
Settings" previously in this section
and Vehicle Personalization 0138.
The transmission must be in
P (Park) to initiate Auto Memory
Recall. Auto Memory Recall will
complete if the vehicle is shifted out
of P (Park) prior to reaching the
stored memory position.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Driving and Operating 205
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 209
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 210
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 212
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 216
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 224
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 228
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 230
Regenerative Braking (Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 235
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 242
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 243 Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 253
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 255
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 259
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Driving and Operating 217
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the
ignition off. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition off.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0227 and
Electric Parking Brake 0228.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after
five minutes to prevent battery
run down. ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) :
This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off, and
the brake pedal applied, pressing
the button once will turn the ignition
on. Once engine cranking begins,
release the button. Engine cranking
will continue until the engine starts.
See Starting the Engine 0218. The
ignition will then remain on.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding the button for
more than five seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio systems will
operate as they do with the ignition
on, but the vehicle will not be able
to be driven. The engine will not
start in Service Mode. Press the
button again to turn the vehicle off.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Driving and Operating 219
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button and
the accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops
again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from
the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Hybrid Operation (1.8 L
Engine Only)
This vehicle combines gasoline and
electric propulsion. The gasoline
engine will automatically start to
provide power and then shut off to
save fuel.
The engine may remain
running when:
.Accelerating aggressively or
climbing hills.
. Vehicle speed is greater than
88 km/h (55 mph). .
Charging the high voltage
battery.
. The heater is being used.
The engine and transmission work
together to provide propulsion
power at the highest efficiency. This
may result in higher engine speeds.
Stop/Start System
{Warning
Exiting the vehicle without first
shifting into P (Park) may cause
the vehicle to move. You or others
may be injured. Because the
vehicle may have an auto engine
Stop/Start feature, the vehicle's
engine might seem to be shut off;
however, once the brake pedal is
released, the engine will start up
again. The engine may restart
even while the brake is applied.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition off before exiting the
vehicle. This vehicle may be equipped with a
fuel saving Stop/Start system to
shut off the engine and help
conserve fuel.
Auto Stop/Start (1.5 L
Engine Only)
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See
Tachometer
(Non-Hybrid) 0117. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pushed, the engine will
restart.
Auto Stop may be deactivated if:
. A minimum vehicle speed is not
reached.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range,
typically below −10 °C (14 °F) or
above 50 °C (122 °F).
. The shift lever is in any gear
other than D (Drive).

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
224 Driving and Operating
Automatic
Transmission
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0221.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The brake pedal must be
fully applied, then press the shift
lever button before shifting from
P (Park) while the ignition is on.
If the vehicle will not shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) while maintaining
brake application. Then move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting out of Park 0222.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0212.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
If equipped with the 1.8L Hybrid
engine and the hood is opened
while in N (Neutral), the vehicle will
shut down. The vehicle will have to
be restarted after closing the hood.