warning CHEVROLET MALIBU 2018 Owner's Manual

Malibu Owner’s Manual
23378946 A
Operating, servicing and maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-road vehicle can expose
you to chemicals including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide, phthalates, and lead,
which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. To minimize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle engine
except as necessary, service your vehicle in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves or
wash your hands frequently when servicing your vehicle. For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
2018 Malibu
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
2 Introduction
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem,
MALIBU, and the MALIBU Emblem
are trademarks and/or service
marks of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name“General
Motors of Canada Company” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual. This manual describes features that
may or may not be on the vehicle
because of optional equipment that
was not purchased on the vehicle,
model variants, country
specifications, features/applications
that may not be available in your
region, or changes subsequent to
the printing of this owner
’s manual.
Refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm the
features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be
obtained from your dealer, at
www.helminc.com, or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante: Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 23378946 A First Printing©2017 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner ’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System (12-Volt
Battery)
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
g: First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
_: High Voltage
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power

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
In Brief 9
Remote start can be extended.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start 038.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.
Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 032.
. Use the key in the driver door.
The key lock cylinder has a
cover. See Door Locks 040. To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
.
PressQorKon the power door
lock switch.
. Pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pulling the
handle again unlatches the door.
See Power Door Locks 042.
Trunk Release
To open the trunk:
.
Press
Xtwice on the RKE
transmitter. .
Press the touch pad on the rear
of the trunk after unlocking all
doors.
If equipped with Keyless Access,
the RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the trunk. Press the
touch pad on the rear of the trunk
and lift to open. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 032.
See Trunk 044.
Windows
Power windows work when the
ignition is on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or when Retained Accessory Power

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 19
Hybrid Low Mode
When descending steep grades or
in stop-and-go traffic, L (Low)
provides the ability to slow the
vehicle with regenerative braking
when lifting off the accelerator
pedal. L2 provides moderate
braking and L1 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.
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to shift between
L2 and L1.
See Manual Mode 0225.
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 the 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, center stack controls,
and infotainment display
controls.
. 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
control or by using a single voice
command if equipped with
Bluetooth phone capability.
See Defensive Driving 0207.
To play the infotainment system with
the ignition off, see Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0221.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
In Brief 23
is detected ahead. This indicator
displays amber if you follow a
vehicle much too closely. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly
beeps.
SeeForward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0247.
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
If the vehicle has Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), it also has FAB, which
includes Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA). When the system
detects a vehicle ahead in your path
that is traveling in the same
direction that you may be about to
crash into, it can provide a boost to
braking or automatically brake the
vehicle. This can help avoid or
lessen the severity of crashes when
driving in a forward gear.
See Forward Automatic Braking
(FAB) 0249.
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System
If equipped, the FPB system may
help avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes with
nearby pedestrians when driving in
a forward gear. FPB displays a
pedestrian ahead indicator when a
nearby pedestrian is detected
directly ahead. When approaching a
detected pedestrian too quickly,
FPB provides a red flashing alert on
the windshield and rapidly beeps.
FPB can provide a boost to braking
or automatically brake the vehicle.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0251.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
If equipped, LKA may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel if the
vehicle approaches a detected lane
marking without using a turn signal
in that direction. It may also provide
a Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert as the lane marking is crossed. The system will not assist or alert if
it detects that you are actively
steering. Override LKA by turning
the steering wheel. LKA uses a
camera to detect lane markings
between 60 km/h (37 mph) and
180 km/h (112 mph).
See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 255 andLane Keep Assist (LKA)
0 255.
Lane Change Alert (LCA)
If equipped, the LCA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding lane change
crashes that occur with moving
vehicles in the side blind zone (or
spot) areas or with vehicles rapidly
approaching these areas from
behind. The LCA warning display
will light up in the corresponding
outside mirror and will flash if the
turn signal is on. The Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system is
included as part of the LCA system.
See Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
0 253 andLane Change Alert (LCA)
0 253.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
24 In Brief
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If equipped, RVC shows a view of
the area behind the vehicle on the
infotainment display when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse) to
aid with parking and low-speed
backing maneuvers.
SeeAssistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0243.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) System
If equipped, the RCTA system uses
a triangle with an arrow on the
infotainment display to warn of
traffic behind your vehicle that may
cross your vehicle's path while in
R (Reverse). In addition, beeps will
sound.
See Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0243.
Parking Assist
If equipped, Front and Rear Parking
Assist (FRPA) uses sensors on the
front and rear bumpers to assist with parking and avoiding objects
during low-speed parking
maneuvers. It operates at speeds
less than 8 km/h (5 mph). The
system may show a warning triangle
on the infotainment display and a
graphic on the instrument cluster to
provide the object distance. In
addition, multiple beeps may occur
if very close to an object.
See
Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0243.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
If equipped, the APA system helps
to search for and maneuver the
vehicle into parallel or perpendicular
parking spots using automatic
steering, DIC displays, and beeps.
When the vehicle speed is below
30 km/h (18 mph), press
Oto
enable the system.
See “Automatic Parking Assist
(APA)” underAssistance Systems
for Parking or Backing 0243.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets:
.
One on the center stack below
the climate control system.
. One on the rear of the center
console.
Open the protective cover to use the
accessory power outlet.
See Power Outlets 0109.

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
In Brief 27
SeeBattery - North America 0291
for important safety information.
If an airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? 077.
Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and tools
should inspect, test, or replace the
high voltage battery. See your
dealer if the high voltage battery
needs service.
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only)
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving vehicle
and turns it back into electrical
energy. This energy is then stored in
the high voltage battery system,
contributing to increased energy
efficiency. See Regenerative
Braking (Hybrid Only) 0230.
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. See
Battery - North
America 0291.
Service
{Warning
Never try to do your own service
on hybrid components. You can
be seriously injured and the
vehicle can be damaged if you try
to do your own service work.
Service and repair of hybrid
components should only be
performed by a trained service
technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work 0270.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The Traction Control System (TCS)
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 TCS, press and
release
gon the center console.
iilluminates in the instrument
cluster.
. To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g.