CHEVROLET MALIBU LIMITED 2016 8.G Owners Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
240 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications 0323.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0229 for
the location of the reservoir.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 241
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0107.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0309.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0319.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery under the hood. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0229.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
242 Vehicle Care
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12-volt battery is
needed. The vehicle has an
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12-volt
battery. Installation of a standard
12-volt battery will result in reduced
12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. SeeCalifornia
Proposition 65 Warning 0226.
Stop/Start System
The vehicle has a stop/start system
to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See Starting the
Engine 0191.
There is an auxiliary battery behind
the access panel in the left rear of
the trunk. This battery is for
managing the stop/start auxiliary loads and is not to be used for any
other purpose. See your dealer if
the auxiliary battery needs service.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See
Jump Starting -
North America 0293 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 243
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
If equipped with a key type ignition,
while parked and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
. The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to (Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
244 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
. To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
It is a good idea to clean the wiper
blade assembly on a regular basis.
When worn, or when cleaning is
ineffective, replace the wiper blade.
For proper windshield wiper blade
length and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0320.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage
the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not allow
the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
To replace the wiper blade: 1. Pull the wiper assembly away from the windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the
middle of the wiper blade
where the wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to
release it from the J-hooked
end of the wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 245
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
0 252.
For any bulb-changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{Warning
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting
{Warning
The high intensity discharge
lighting system operates at a very
high voltage. If you try to service
any of the system components,
you could be seriously injured.
Have your dealer or a qualified
technician service them.
The vehicle may have HID
headlamps. After an HID headlamp
bulb has been replaced, you may
notice that the beam is a slightly
different shade than it was originally.
This is normal.
LED Lighting
This vehicle has several LED lamps.
For replacement of any LED lighting
assembly, contact your dealer.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
246 Vehicle Care
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps
Base Headlamp Assembly
The base model vehicle has
halogen high-beam and low-beam
headlamps, a parking lamp, a
sidemarker lamp, and two turn
signal lamps on the headlamp
assembly.
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
1. High-Beam Headlamp
2. Low-Beam Headlamp3. Sidemarker Lamp
4. Parking/Turn Signal Lamp
To replace one of the headlamp
bulbs:
1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 227.
2. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
3. Remove the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
6. Install a new bulb in the lamp assembly.
7. Connect the electrical connector.
8. Replace the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise. 9. For the driver side, reinstall the
windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the underhood electrical
center retainer.
Uplevel Headlamp Assembly
The uplevel model vehicle has
halogen high-beam and low-beam
headlamps, a parking lamp, a
sidemarker lamp, and two turn
signal lamps on the headlamp
assembly.
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
1. High-Beam Headlamp
2. Turn Signal Lamps

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 247
3. Low-Beam Headlamp
4. Parking Lamp
5. Sidemarker Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
High-Beam Headlamp1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 227.
2. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
3. Remove the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electricalconnector (1).
5. Disengage the spring clip (2) from the bulb by pressing down
on the end and then swing
upward.
6. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly.
7. Install a new bulb in the lamp assembly.
8. Install the spring clip (2).
9. Connect the electrical connector (1).
10. Replace the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
11. For the driver side, reinstall the windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the underhood electrical
center retainer. Low-Beam Headlamp
1. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
2. Remove the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
5. Install a new bulb in the lamp assembly.
6. Connect the electrical connector.
7. Replace the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
8. For the driver side, reinstall the windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
248 Vehicle Care
that the filler neck clip engages
into the underhood electrical
center retainer.
HID Headlamp Assembly
The HID assembly has a high
intensity discharge (HID) high/low
beam, a DRL/parking lamp,
sidemarker lamp, and a turn signal
lamp on the headlamp assembly.
For replacement of the headlamp on
an HID assembly, contact your
dealer. SeeHigh Intensity
Discharge (HID) Lighting 0245.
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
1. Turn Signal Lamp
2. DRL/Parking Lamp
3. Sidemarker Lamp
Front Turn Signal, Parking, and
Sidemarker Lamps
To replace one of these lamps on a
base, uplevel, or HID assembly:
1. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the socket.
4. Replace the bulb in the bulb socket.
5. Install the bulb socket in the headlamp assembly by turning
it clockwise. 6. For the driver side, reinstall the
windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the underhood electrical
center retainer.
Fog Lamps
To replace the front fog lamp bulb:
1. Remove the five access panelfasteners under the front
fascia.
2. Lower the panel far enough to access the fog lamp bulb.

Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Vehicle Care 249
3. Remove the bulb by turning itcounterclockwise and pulling it
straight out of the assembly.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the fog lamp
bulb assembly.
5. Install the new bulb by turning it clockwise into the assembly.
6. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LS and LT)
1. Back-Up Lamp
2. Taillamp
Trunk Deck Inboard Taillamp and
Back-Up Lamp 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 37.
2. Remove the push pins and pull back the trunk deck trim.
3. Remove the bulb socket by turning counterclockwise and
pulling straight out. 4. Remove the bulb from the
socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the bulb socket.
6. Install the bulb socket by turning clockwise.
7. Install the trunk deck trim.
1. Stoplamp/Taillamp
2. Turn Signal Lamp