Chevrolet 2012 Malibu User manual

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M
Keys, Doors, and
Windows .................... 1-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Doors . . . ......................1-11
Vehicle Security. . . . . .........1-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Interior Mirrors . . ..............1-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Roof . . ........................1-22
Seats and Restraints ......... 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . ..........2-4
Rear Seats . . . ................2-10
Safety Belts . . . ...............2-12
Airbag System . . . .............2-19
Child Restraints . . . . . .........2-29
Storage ....................... 3-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 3-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 3-4
Instruments and Controls .... 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview. . . . 4-3
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . ................4-11
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 4-31
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . ....4-34
Vehicle Personalisation . . . ....4-43
Lighting ....................... 5-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Interior Lighting . . . .............5-7
Lighting Features . . . ...........5-8
Infotainment System ......... 6-1
Introduction . . . .................6-1
Climate Controls ............. 7-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 7-1
Air Vents . . . . . . .................7-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Driving and Operating ........ 8-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Starting and Operating . . . ....8-14
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 8-27
Manual Gearbox . . . ...........8-30
Brakes . . . . . ..................8-31
Ride Control Systems . . . .....8-35
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Object Detection Systems . . . . 8-40
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-41
Towing . . . . . ..................8-45
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 8-51

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual M
Vehicle Care .................. 9-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . ......9-31
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Electrical System . . . ..........9-37
Wheels and Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Towing . . . . . ..................9-67
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Service and Maintenance . . . 10-1
General Information . . . .......10-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 10-2
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 10-7
Technical Data ............... 11-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . ....11-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . ............11-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Index ..................... i-1

Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem,
MALIBU, and the MALIBU Emblem
are trademarks and/or service
marks of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number
where it can be found.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. H12GB30 ©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

iv Introduction
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury
or death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage.
This would not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through
it is a safety symbol which means
"Do Not," "Do not do this," or
"Do not let this happen."

Introduction v
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
G:Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Oil
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
$:Brake System Warning Light
I:Certified Technician
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
H:Flammable
#:Front Fog Lamps
s:Rear Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3:Headlamp Main/Dipped-Beam
Changer
H:ISOFIX Child Restraint System
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tyre Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
M:Windscreen Washer Fluid

vi Introduction
2NOTES

Keys, Doors, and Windows 1-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . .................... 1-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation . . . ........1-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Door Locks . . . . . . ............. 1-8
Power Door Locks . . . .........1-9
Door Ajar Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . 1-10
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Safety Locks . . ............... 1-10
Doors
Boot . . . . . .................... 1-11
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . ......... 1-13
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . 1-13
Immobiliser Operation (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Immobiliser Operation
(Keyless Access) . . . ........ 1-15
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . .... 1-18
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 1-18
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . ................... 1-19
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Power Windows . . . . . ........1-20
Sun Visors . . ................. 1-22
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

1-2 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous for many
reasons; children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the
RKE transmitter in the vehicle
and they could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Do not
leave the RKE transmitter in a
vehicle with children.
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for the ignition and all locks
if the vehicle is a key access
vehicle. If the vehicle has the
keyless ignition, the key can be
used for the locks.

Keys, Doors, and Windows 1-3
Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.
If the vehicle has an ignition and it
becomes difficult to turn the key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
See your dealer if a new key
is needed.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
Changes or modifications to this
system by other than an authorised
service facility could void
authorisation to use this equipment.
If there is a decrease in the
RKE operating range:
.Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See "Battery Replacement" later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
Operation
The transmitter functions will work
up to 20 m (65 ft) away from the
vehicle. On vehicles with remote
start the distance will be greater.
Keep in mind that other conditions,
such as those previously stated, can
impact the performance of the
transmitter.
RKE without Remote Start Shown

1-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Q(Lock): Press to lock all doors.
The indicators may flash and/or the
horn may sound to indicate locking,
see "Locking Feedback" under
Vehicle Personalisation on
page 4‑43.
If the driver door is open when Qis
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if enabled through the
vehicle personalisation.
If the passenger door is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 1‑13.
When the doors are locked, the
fuel door is also locked.
On some models, pressing and
holding Qwill close all of the
vehicle's windows.
K(Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See "Door
Unlock Options" under Vehicle
Personalisation on page 4‑43.
The indicators may flash and/or
the horn may sound to indicate
unlocking. See "Unlock Feedback"
under Vehicle Personalisation on
page 4‑43.
Pressing Kwill disarm the
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 1‑13.
Memory seat positions may be
recalled when unlocking the vehicle.
See Memory Seats on page 2‑7and
"Memory Remote Recall" under
Vehicle Personalisation on
page 4‑43 for more information.
On some models, pressing and
holding Kwill open all of the
vehicle's windows.
V(Remote Boot Release):
Press and hold to unlock the boot.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to locate the vehicle. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps.
Press and hold 7for at least
two seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
indicators flash until 7is pressed
again or the vehicle is started.
/(Remote Vehicle Start):
For vehicles with this feature,
press Qand then press and hold /
within five seconds to start the
engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 1‑7
for additional information.
The buttons on the keys are
disabled when there is a key in the
ignition, if equipped.