manual transmission CHEVROLET MALIBU 2019 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Seat 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 21
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 21
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 21
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 27
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents0163.
2. Turn Signal Lever. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals
0151.
IntelliBeam System Button (If
Equipped). SeeExterior Lamp
Controls0147.
3.Instrument Cluster (Uplevel)
0116or
Instrument Cluster (Base
Level)0115.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level)0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
4.Windshield Wiper/Washer
0109.
5. Light Sensor. SeeAutomatic
Headlamp System0150.
6.Infotainment0155.
7.Climate Control Systems
0156.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System0159(If Equipped).
8.Hazard Warning Flashers
0150.9.Power Outlets0110.
10.Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0192.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing0205(If
Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission0185.
12.Electric Parking Brake0189(If
Equipped).
13. USB Port. See the infotainment
manual.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button.
SeeIgnition Positions0176.
15.Steering Wheel Controls0108.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
16.Horn0108.
17.Steering Wheel Adjustment
0108(Out of View).18.Cruise Control0194.
Adaptive Cruise Control0196
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel0108
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System0209(If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)0217
(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. SeeHood
0235.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of
View). SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light)0124.
21.Parking Brake0188(If
Equipped).
22.Exterior Lamp Controls0147.
23.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control0151.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
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)
6. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
7. SYNC8. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
9. Fan Controls
10. Power (On/Off)
11. Recirculation
12. Rear Window Defogger
SeeClimate Control Systems0156
or
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System0159(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.
SeeManual Mode0186.
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

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 19
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.
SeeManual Mode0186.Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
See the infotainment manual for
information on the radio, audio
players, phone, and voice or speech
recognition. It also includes
information on settings.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering
wheel controls. See“Steering Wheel
Controls”in the infotainment
manual.
Cruise Control
5:Press to turn the cruise control
system on and off. A white indicator
comes on in the instrument cluster
when cruise is turned on.
*:Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
+RES :If there is a set speed in
memory, press to resume that
speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 23
Sunroof Manual Operation
The sunroof can change to manual
mode by holding
D(1) while
opening. The sunroof will now open
as long as
D(1) is held. Press and
release again to change back to
express operation.
Power Sunshade Express
Operation
Press and release
C(2) to
express-open the power sunshade.
Press
C(2) at any time to stop
movement. Press and release
Q
(2) to express-close the power
sunshade. Press
Q(2) at any
time to stop movement.
Power Sunshade Manual
Operation
The power sunshade can change to
manual mode by holding
C(2)
while opening. The power sunshade
will now open as long as
C(2) is
held. Press and release again to
change back to express operation.The sunroof cannot be opened or
closed if the vehicle has an
electrical failure.
The sunroof is equipped with an
automatic reversal system. See
Sunroof051.
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.
SeeDriving for Better Fuel
Economy028.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
42 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Delayed locking can be
programmed. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
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. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
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.
Open Door Anti-Lockout
If Open 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 open.Press the button again to lock the
driver door. The Open Door
Anti-Lockout feature can be turned
on or off. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.
Manual Safety Locks
If equipped, the safety lock is on the
inside edge of the rear doors. To
use the safety lock:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 125
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0234.
If the light is flashing :A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.If the light is on steady :A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
.
If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless fuel
funnel adapter, make sure that it
has been removed. See“Filling
the Tank with a Portable Gas
Can”underFilling the Tank
0221. The diagnostic system
can detect if the adapter has
been left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light.
.
Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 141
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
.
Service Messages
.
Fluid Levels
.
Vehicle Security.
Brakes
.
Steering
.
Ride Control Systems
.
Driver Assistance Systems
.
Cruise Control
.
Lighting and Bulb Replacement
.
Wiper/Washer Systems
.
Doors and Windows
.
Seat Belts
.
Airbag Systems
.
Engine and Transmission
.
Tire Pressure
.
Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's propulsion power is
reduced. A reduction in propulsion
power can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance maybe reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, or displays
repeatedly, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX
KM/H (MPH)
This message shows that the
vehicle speed has been limited to
the speed displayed. The limited
speed is a protection for various
propulsion and vehicle systems,
such as lubrication, thermal,
suspension, Teen Driver if
equipped, or tires.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Driving and Operating 165
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 169
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 170
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 172
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 176
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 182Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 183
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 185
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 189
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 191
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 196
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 203
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 205
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 215
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 217
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Recommended Fuel (1.5L and
1.8L Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Recommended Fuel (2.0L
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 221
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
170 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.
Allow extra following distance.
.
Pass with caution..
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.
Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.
Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires0276.
.
Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.
Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
.
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
.
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, crash).