2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 217

Driving and Operating Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. 9-19 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. With a 4 cylinder engine, the engine coolant heater cord is located near the air cleaner box on the passenger side of the engine compartment. With a V6 engine, the engine coolant heater cord is located on the driver side around the battery box. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 10‑6 for more information on location. WARNING (Continued) the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps. 3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. 4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts and prevent damage. The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this. Engine Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm‐ up in cold weather conditions at or below −18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting the vehicle. An internal thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above −18°C (0°F). { WARNING Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug (Continued)