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2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 205

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Manual

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Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. 4-38

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Front Seats	9
Manual Seats	9
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	10
Reclining Seatbacks	11
Head Restraints	12
Rear Seats	13
Rear Seat Operation	13
Safety Belts	14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	18
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	19
Driver Position	20
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	28
Right Front Passenger Position	29
Rear Seat Passengers	29
Center Rear Passenger Position	33
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	35
Safety Belt Extender	37
Child Restraints	38
Older Children	38
Infants and Young Children	41
Child Restraint Systems	44
Where to Put the Restraint	47
Top Strap	48
Top Strap Anchor Location	49
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	50
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position	55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	57
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	60
Where Are the Air Bags?	62
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	64
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	64
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	64
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	65
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	66
Restraint System Check	67
Checking Your Restraint Systems	67
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	67
Features and Controls	70
Keys	71
Remote Keyless Entry System	73
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	74
Doors and Locks	77
Door Locks	77
Power Door Locks	78
Door Ajar Reminder	78
Delayed Locking	78
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	79
Rear Door Security Locks	80
Lockout Protection	81
Leaving Your Vehicle	81
Trunk	81
Windows	84
Manual Windows	85
Power Windows	85
Sun Visors	85
Theft-Deterrent Systems	86
Passlock	86
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	87
New Vehicle Break-In	87
Ignition Positions	87
Starting Your Engine	88
Engine Coolant Heater	89
Automatic Transaxle Operation	91
Parking Brake	94
Shifting Into Park (P)	94
Shifting Out of Park (P)	96
Parking Over Things That Burn	97
Engine Exhaust	97
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	98
Mirrors	99
Manual Rearview Mirror	99
Outside Remote Control Mirrors	99
Outside Power Mirrors	100
Outside Convex Mirror	100
Storage Areas	101
Glove Box	101
Cupholder(s)	101
Center Console Storage Area	101
Garment Hooks	101
Sunroof	102
Instrument Panel	104
Instrument Panel Overview	105
Hazard Warning Flashers	107
Other Warning Devices	108
Horn	108
Tilt Wheel	108
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	109
Exterior Lamps	115
Interior Lamps	118
Accessory Power Outlets	120
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	120
Climate Controls	121
Climate Control System	121
Outlet Adjustment	125
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	126
Instrument Panel Cluster	127
Speedometer and Odometer	128
Tachometer	129
Safety Belt Reminder Light	129
Air Bag Readiness Light	130
Charging System Light	131
Brake System Warning Light	131
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	132
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	133
Low Coolant Warning Light	133
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	134
Oil Pressure Light	137
Check Oil Level Light	138
Passlock Warning Light	138
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light	139
Door Ajar Light	139
Service Vehicle Soon Light	139
Fuel Gage	140
Audio System(s)	141
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)	141
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)	141
Radio with CD (Base Level)	142
Radio with CD (Up Level)	146
Radio with Cassette and CD	154
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios)	164
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios)	164
Understanding Radio Reception	164
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	165
Care of Your CDs	166
Care of Your CD Player	166
Fixed Mast Antenna	166
Chime Level Adjustment	166
Driving Your Vehicle	168
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	169
Defensive Driving	169
Drunken Driving	170
Control of a Vehicle	173
Braking	173
Steering	177
Off-Road Recovery	179
Passing	179
Loss of Control	181
Driving at Night	182
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	183
City Driving	186
Freeway Driving	187
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	188
Highway Hypnosis	189
Hill and Mountain Roads	189
Winter Driving	191
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	195
Towing	196
Towing Your Vehicle	196
Recreational Vehicle Towing	196
Loading Your Vehicle	199
Towing a Trailer	201
Service and Appearance Care	210
Service	212
Doing Your Own Service Work	212
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	213
Fuel	214
Gasoline Octane	214
Gasoline Specifications	214
California Fuel	215
Additives	215
Fuels in Foreign Countries	216
Filling Your Tank	216
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	218
Checking Things Under the Hood	219
Hood Release	219
Engine Compartment Overview	221
Engine Oil	222
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	226
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	227
Engine Coolant	228
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap	231
Engine Overheating	232
Cooling System	234
Power Steering Fluid	241
Windshield Washer Fluid	242
Brakes	243
Battery	247
Jump Starting	248
Bulb Replacement	254
Halogen Bulbs	254
Headlamps	254
Front Turn Signal Lamps	256
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	256
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps	257
Replacement Bulbs	259
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	260
Tires	261
Inflation - Tire Pressure	262
Tire Inspection and Rotation	263
When It Is Time for New Tires	264
Buying New Tires	265
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	266
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	267
Wheel Replacement	267
Tire Chains	269
If a Tire Goes Flat	269
Changing a Flat Tire	270
Compact Spare Tire	280
Appearance Care	281
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	281
Care of Safety Belts	284
Weatherstrips	284
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	284
Sheet Metal Damage	286
Finish Damage	286
Underbody Maintenance	287
Chemical Paint Spotting	287
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	287
Vehicle Identification	289
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	289
Service Parts Identification Label	289
Electrical System	290
Add-on Electrical Equipment	290
Headlamp Wiring	290
Windshield Wiper Fuses	290
Power Windows and Other Power Options	290
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	291
Capacities and Specifications	296
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	297
Maintenance Schedule	298
Maintenance Schedule	299
Introduction	299
Your Vehicle and the Environment	299
Maintenance Requirements	299
How This Section is Organized	300
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	301
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	301
Selecting the Right Schedule	302
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance	303
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance	309
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	313
At Each Fuel Fill	313
At Least Once a Month	313
At Least Twice a Year	314
At Least Once a Year	314
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	317
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	317
Exhaust System Inspection	317
Fuel System Inspection	318
Engine Cooling System Inspection	318
Throttle System Inspection	318
Brake System Inspection	318
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	319
Part E: Maintenance Record	320
Customer Assistance Information	322
Customer Assistance Information	323
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	323
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	324
Customer Assistance Offices	325
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	326
Roadside Assistance Program	326
Courtesy Transportation	328
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	330
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	331
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	331
Service Publications Ordering Information	331

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Driving with

a Trailer

Towing

a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.

Before setting out for the open

road, you’ll want to get

to know

your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of

handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.

And

always

keep in mind that the vehicle you

are

driving is now

good deal longer and

not nearly as

responsive as

your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform

(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,

lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has

electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving

and

then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be

sure the brakes are working. This lets you

check

your

electrical connection at

the

same time.

During your

trip,

check occasionally to be sure that

the

load

is secure, and

that the lamps

and

any trailer

brakes are still working.

Following Distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the

vehicle

ahead as

you

would

when driving your

vehicle

without

trailer.

This can help you avoid situations that

require

heavy braking and

sudden

turns.

Passing

You’ll

need

more passing distance

ahead when

you’re towing a trailer. And,

because

you’re a good

deal longer, you’ll need to go much

farther

beyond

the

passed vehicle before you

can

return to your

lane.

Backing

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel

with

one

hand.

Then, to move the trailer to the

left,

just

move

that

hand

to the left. To

move

the trailer to the

right,

move

your

hand to the right. Always

back

slowly

and,

possible,

have

someone guide you.

4-38