wheel alignment CHEVROLET MALIBU 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 227
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 228
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 229
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 250
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 250
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (LT and Premier) . . . . . 251
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 253
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 254
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 263
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 269
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 273
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 276
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 279
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 290
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 293

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
272 Vehicle Care
8. Proceed to the passenger side front tire,and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
9. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
10. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7. The horn
sounds two times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been matched to
the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message on the DIC display goes off.
11. Turn the vehicle off.
12. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires, including
the spare tire, if the vehicle has one, be
inspected for signs of wear or damage
at least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or more
places around the tire can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric showing
through the tire's rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut,
or snagged deep enough to show
cord or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that cannot be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km
(7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule
0 304.
Tires are rotated to achieve a more
uniform wear for all tires. The first
rotation is the most important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed,
rotate the tires as soon as possible,
check for proper tire inflation pressure,
and check for damaged tires or wheels.
If the unusual wear continues after
the rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See When It Is Time for New
Tires 0273 and
Wheel Replacement 0276.
Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires.
Do not include the compact spare tire
in the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to the
recommended inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See Tire
Pressure 0266 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0179.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 269.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
276 Vehicle Care
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)
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.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning:
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider an
alignment check if there is unusual tire wear
or the vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to the
left or right, depending on the crown of the
road and/or other road surface variations
such as troughs or ruts, is normal. If the
vehicle is vibrating when driving on a
smooth road, the tires and wheels may
need to be rebalanced. See your dealer for
proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked,
or badly rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts
keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it. Some aluminum
wheels can be repaired. See your dealer if
any of these conditions exist.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Service and Maintenance 311
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like new,
vehicle care products are available from your
dealer. For information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and exterior,
seeInterior Care 0299 and
Exterior Care 0295.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical for ensuring that
the tires deliver optimal wear and
performance.
.Signs that the alignment may need to be
adjusted include pulling, improper vehicle
handling, or unusual tire wear.
.Your dealer has the required equipment
to ensure proper wheel alignment. Windshield
For safety, appearance, and the best
viewing, keep the windshield clean and
clear.
.Signs of damage include scratches, cracks,
and chips.
.Trained dealer technicians can inspect the
windshield and recommend proper
replacement if needed.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades need to be cleaned and kept in
good condition to provide a clear view.
.Signs of wear include streaking, skipping
across the windshield, and worn or split
rubber.
.Trained dealer technicians can check the
wiper blades and replace them when
needed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
348 Index
System (cont'd)Forward Collision Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Global Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250, 251
Teen Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Tires (cont'd)
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266, 267
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Sealant and Compressor Kit,
Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 276
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . 156
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . 325
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250, 251
U
Umbrella Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
UpdatesMap Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Using the Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Index 349
Vehicle (cont'd)Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Vehicle Care
Storing the Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . 329
Vehicle Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Warning (cont'd)
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Windshield
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Wiring, High Voltage Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 253