Chevrolet 1997 Malibu User manual

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.* a The 1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Chevrolet.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as aflattire or overheated engine,etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Chevrolet running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and whatfluidsand lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It
also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-10.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subjectin this manual. You can useit to quickly find
something you want to read.
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GM
-
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the
name MALIBU are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the timeit
was printed.We reserve the rightto make changes in
the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first soldin Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet
Motor Division wheneverit appears in this manual.
Please keep this manualin your Chevrolet,
so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can
use it.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 10288097 A First Edition
r
EA
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
NationalInstitute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriCtaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer
un exemplaire de ce guideen frangais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T 1C7
@Copyright Genzral Motors Corporation 1996
All Rights Reserved
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The Heritage of Chevrolet
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The dynamic William C. “Billy”
Durant shiftedgearsfrom making
carriages tomaking cars,
forming half the team that gave
birth
to Chevrolet.
Welcometo the largest vehicle backed by a proud
autumotive family
in the history
of performance and
world
-- the family of Chevrolet value. Since the first “Classic
owners. You have selected
a
Six” rolled off the line in 19 12,
vehicle designed, engineered more than
110 million
and crafted by teamwork, a Chevrolet cars and trucks have
Louis Chevrolet, the other half of the team,
at the wheel
of his experimental “Classic
Six, ” which enteredproduction in I91 2.
That year 2999 vehicles wereproduced.
worn the Chevrolet marque.
That kind of reception from
auto owners
is unmatched by
any other car manufacturer in
the world.
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The Chevrolet blend of
value and performance has
created for the pleasure
of the
open road.
become an American Every decade, Chevrolet
tradition
-- whether bred for has reinforced its heritage
the racetrack like the legendary of affordable performance
Corvette and Camaro,
or with quality and value crafted
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into each vehicle. It's not
surprising that for
80 years
"Genuine Chevrolet" has been
America's automobile.
We're proud to continue that
heritage
in your Chevrolet,
I I
I The legacy of America$favoritesportscar
I began in 1953, when 319hand-assembled I
In 1932 Chevrolet
introduced the white Corvettes
:
Synchro-Mesh launched the I
transmissionand first use of a
offered a host
of fiberglassbody in I
accessories -- including aproduction car: :
such niceties as a clock! I
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I The 1957 Chevy started a romance with the American
public
-- and was powered by an availablefuel-injected V8.
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and we are pledged to
make
ownership of your
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Chevl-olet an enjoyable
and rewarding experience.
60's automotive excitement
included Chevrolet landmarks
like the Corvette Sting Ray,
the sporty Camaro, and
powerplants like the
legendary 327 V8.
Your new Chevrolet continues a tradition of quality and value.
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How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this,
it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
the back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of all
what’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll
find it.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
These mean there is sometnmg that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this
book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t
do this,” or “Don’t
let this happen.”
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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
I NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and
it could
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
You’ll also
see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used
on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
Q
CAUSTIC
BURNS
AVO1D
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD [-sr=l
FLAME
EXPLODE
BAlTERY
...
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS @ e
TURN
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning
and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
t
COOLANT kt-
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAlTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE (@)
COOLANT
a
ENGINEOIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK (a)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
P
LIGHTER
HORN
)cr
SPEAKER
Er
FUEL B

Section 1 Seats and Seat Restraints
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Chevrolet and how to use your safety belts properly.You can also
learn about some things you should
not do with air bags and safety belts.
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Seats and Controls
Manual Seats
Power Seats
Reclining Front Seatbacks
Rear Seats
Why Safety Belts Work
Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Questions and Answers About Air Bags
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
How to Use Child Restraints
Important Information for Buckling
Children in Child Restraints
Child Restraint Top Straps
How to Obtain a Safety Belt Extender
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Replacing Parts After a Crash
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