CHEVROLET MALIBU 2023 Owners Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
160 Climate Controls
The fan, air delivery mode, air conditioning,
driver and passenger temperatures, and Sync
settings can be controlled by touching
CLIMATE on the infotainment Home Page or
the climate button in the climate control
display application tray. A selection can then
be made on the front climate control page
displayed. See the infotainment manual.
Climate Control Status Display
The climate control status display appears
briefly when the center stack climate
controls are adjusted.Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls the fan
speed, air delivery, air conditioning, and
recirculation in order to heat or cool the
vehicle to the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions operate
automatically. Each function can also be
manually set and the selected setting is
displayed. Functions not manually set will
continue to be automatically controlled,
even if the AUTO indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation:
1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Adjust the temperature
as needed for best comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to cool the
vehicle faster with A/C on, the system will
automatically turn on recirculation in warm
weather. The recirculation light will not
be lit.
Press@to manually select recirculation
and the indicator light will turn on. Press it
again to select outside air and the indicator
light will turn off. Driver and Passenger Temperature
Controls :
The temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and the passenger.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the driver or
passenger temperature setting.
SYNC : Press to link the passenger
temperature settings to the driver setting.
The SYNC indicator light will turn on. When
the passenger settings are adjusted, the
SYNC indicator light turns off.
Manual Operation
O: Press to turn the fan off or on. If on is
selected, or any other button is pressed or
knob turned, the climate control system will
turn on and return to delivering airflow as
set. The temperature control and air delivery
mode can still be adjusted.
^: Press the large fan symbol to increase
the fan speed. Press the small fan symbol to
decrease the fan speed. The fan speed
setting appears on the main display. When
the fan speed is decreased completely, the
fan turns off. Pressing either button cancels
automatic fan control and the fan is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to return
to automatic operation.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Climate Controls 161
Air Delivery Mode Controls :PressX,Y,
or
[to change the direction of the
airflow. Any combination of the three
buttons can be selected. The indicator light
in the button will turn on. The current mode
appears in the display screen. Pressing any
button cancels automatic air delivery control
and the direction of the airflow is controlled
manually. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following modes:
X: Air is directed to the windshield.
Y:Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
[: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield,
the fan runs at a higher speed, and the
temperature of the air is increased if not
already at maximum. This mode overrides
the previous mode selected and clears fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
When the button is pressed again, the
system returns to the previous mode setting
and fan speed. For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
A/C :
Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. If the fan control is turned
off or the outside temperature falls below
freezing, the air conditioner will not run.
Pressing this button cancels automatic air
conditioning and turns off the air
conditioner. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. When the
indicator light is on, the air conditioner runs
automatically to cool the air inside the
vehicle or to dry the air needed to defog
the windshield faster.
M: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
If selected during cool or cold weather, the
windshield and windows may fog. Turn off
recirculation to help clear the windshield
and windows. Auto Defog :
The climate control system
may have a sensor to automatically detect
high humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
turn on the air conditioner. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system does
not detect possible window fogging, it
returns to normal operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, select
Settings > Climate and Air Quality > Auto
Defog > Select ON or OFF.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The rear window defogger
only works when the vehicle is on. The
defogger turns off when the vehicle is
turned off or to accessory mode.
The upper lines on the rear window are
antenna grids and are not intended to
defrost the glass.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
162 Climate Controls
The rear window defogger can be set to
automatic operation. To turn Auto Defog off
or on, select Settings > Climate and Air
Quality > Auto Rear Defog > Select ON or
OFF. When Auto Rear Defog is selected, the
rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior temperature
is cold and the outside temperature is about
7 °C (45 °F) and below. The auto rear
defogger turns off automatically.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is on and help to clear fog
or frost from the surface of the mirror. See
Heated Mirrors022.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Driver and Passenger Heated and Ventilated
Seats :
If equipped, press
LorMto heat
the driver or passenger seat.
If equipped, press
{orCto ventilate the
driver or passenger seat. See Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 034.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. The system will determine
the best mode and temperature setting for
operation. Once the vehicle is started with
the Engine Start/Stop button, the climate
control system will begin to operate at the
last customer selected operating mode and
temperature. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats, they may come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start 013
and
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 034.
Sensor
The solar sensor, on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield, monitors the
solar heat. The climate control system uses the sensor
information to adjust the temperature, fan
speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Air Vents

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Climate Controls 163
Use the louvers on the air vents to change
the direction of the airflow.
On the center air vents, move the sliding
knob down to close off airflow.
On the side air vents, move the sliding knob
to the outboard side of the vehicle to close
off the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Keep all outlets open whenever possible
for best system performance.
.Keep the path under all seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside the
vehicle more effectively.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle, which may
improve long term system performance.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats; this restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance; see
Maintenance Schedule0290. To find out
what type of filter to use, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0295.
1. Open the glove box completely.
2. Disconnect the glove box door dampener arm from the glove box door assembly. 3. Squeeze both sides of the glove box door
to open beyond the stops.
4. Release the retainer clips holding theservice door. Open the service door and
remove the old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door and retainer clips.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional assistance is
needed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
164 Climate Controls
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be
serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. SeeMaintenance Schedule
0 290.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Driving and Operating 165
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 166
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 179
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 181
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 181
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . 190
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . 200
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 202
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 207
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 213
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
166 Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 037.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 167
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
168 Driving and Operating
Variable Effort Steering
The vehicle has a steering system that
varies the amount of effort required to steer
the vehicle in relation to the speed of the
vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required is
less at slower speeds to make the vehicle
more maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort increases
to provide a sport-like feel to the steering.
This provides maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to steer the
vehicle. It does not have power steering
fluid. Regular maintenance is not required.
If the vehicle experiences a system
malfunction and loses power steering,
greater steering effort may be required.
Power steering assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel as far as it can
turn and hold it there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 169
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid—wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize warning clues
—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle 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.