2002 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual
Year:
2002
Make:
Chevrolet
Model:
Malibu
Rating:
Table of Contents
- 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual
1
Copyright General Motors Corp. 2001
2
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual:
3
How to Use this Manual
4
Safety Warnings and Symbols
4
Vehicle Damage Warnings
5
Vehicle Symbols
5
Section 1 Seats and Seat Restraints
7
Seats and Seat Controls
8
Manual Front Seats
8
Six-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)
9
Reclining Front Seatbacks
10
Head Restraints
11
Rear Seats
12
Folding Rear Seatback (Option)
12
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone
13
Why Safety Belts Work
14
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
17
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
19
Adults
19
Driver Position
19
Lap-Shoulder Belt
19
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
27
Right Front Passenger Position
28
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
28
How the Air Bag System Works
30
Where are the air bags?
30
When should an air bag inflate?
31
What makes an air bag inflate?
31
How does an air bag restrain?
32
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
32
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
33
Rear Seat Passengers
34
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
34
Lap-Shoulder Belt
34
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults
37
Center Passenger Position
39
Lap Belt
40
Children
41
Infants and Young Children
41
Restraint Systems for Children
45
Where to Put the Restraint
48
Top Strap
48
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 the Center Rear Seat Position
55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position
57
Older Children
60
Safety Belt Extender
63
Checking Your Restraint Systems
63
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
63
Section 2 Features and Controls
64
Windows
65
Manual Windows
66
Power Windows (If Equipped)
66
Auto-Down Switch
66
Lock Out Button
66
Keys
67
Door Locks
69
Power Door Locks
70
Door Ajar Reminder
70
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
70
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks
71
Delayed Locking
72
Rear Door Security Locks
72
Anti-Lockout Protection
73
Leaving Your Vehicle
73
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
74
Operation
75
Programmable Horn Chirp
76
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
76
Battery Replacement
77
Trunk
78
Remote Trunk Release
79
Remote Trunk Release Lockout
79
Trunk Release Handle
80
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit
80
Theft
81
Key in the Ignition
81
Parking at Night
81
Parking Lots
81
Passlock
82
New Vehicle \Break-In\
82
Ignition Positions
83
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
84
Starting Your Engine
84
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
85
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
86
Automatic Transaxle Operation
87
Second-Gear Start
90
Parking Brake
91
Shifting Into PARK (P)
92
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
93
Torque Lock
93
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
94
Parking Over Things That Burn
94
Engine Exhaust
95
Running Your Engine While You're Parked
95
Horn
96
Tilt Wheel
96
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
97
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
97
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
98
Lamps On Reminder
98
Flash-to-Pass
98
Windshield Wipers
98
Windshield Washer
99
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
100
Setting Cruise Control
101
Resuming a Set Speed
101
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
102
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
102
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
102
Using Cruise Control on Hills
102
Canceling Cruise Control
102
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
102
Exterior Lamps
103
Daytime Running Lamps
104
Automatic Light Control (ALC)
104
Headlamps Dim to Park
105
Delayed Headlamps
105
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
106
Interior Lamps
106
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
106
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
107
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
107
Three-Position Dome Lamp
107
Trunk Lamp
107
Battery Saver
107
Mirrors
108
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
108
Manual Remote Control Rearview Mirrors
108
Power Remote Control Rearview Mirrors (If Equipped)
109
Convex Outside Mirror
109
Storage Compartments
110
Glove Box
110
Instrument Panel Cupholder
110
Center Console Storage Area
110
Center Console Cupholder
110
Rear Seat Cupholders
110
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
110
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
111
Sun Visors
111
Visor Vanity Mirror
111
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror (If Equipped)
111
Accessory Power Outlet
112
Garment Hook
113
Sunroof (Option)
114
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
115
Instrument Panel Cluster
117
Speedometer and Odometer
118
Trip Odometer
118
Tachometer
119
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
119
Safety Belt Reminder Light
120
Air Bag Readiness Light
121
Charging System Indicator Light
122
Brake System Warning Light
122
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
123
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
124
Low Coolant Warning Light
124
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
125
If the Light Is Flashing
126
If the Light Is On Steady
126
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
127
Oil Pressure Light
128
Check Oil Light
129
Passlock Warning Light
129
Cruise Light (If Equipped)
130
Low Washer Light
130
Service Vehicle Soon Light
130
Door Ajar Light
130
Fuel Gage
131
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
132
Comfort Controls
133
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning
133
Fan Knob
133
Temperature Knob
133
Mode Knob
133
Mode Buttons
134
Air Conditioning
135
Heating
135
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
136
Rear Window Defogger
137
Ventilation System
137
Ventilation Tips
138
Audio Systems
138
Setting the Clock
139
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player with Radio Data System (RDS) and Automatic Tone Control
139
Playing the Radio
139
Finding a Station
140
Setting Preset Stations
141
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
141
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
142
Using RDS
142
Finding RDS Stations
143
Finding a PTY Preset Station
143
RDS Messages
144
Radio Messages
145
Playing a Compact Disc
145
Compact Disc Messages
146
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Radio Data System (RDS) and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
147
Playing the Radio
147
Finding a Station
147
Setting Preset Stations
148
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
148
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
149
Using RDS
149
Finding RDS Stations
150
Finding a PTY Station
150
RDS Messages
151
Radio Messages
152
Playing a Cassette Tape
152
Cassette Tape Messages
154
CD Adapter Kits
155
Playing a Compact Disc
155
Compact Disc Messages
156
Theft-Deterrent Feature
157
Understanding Radio Reception
157
AM
157
FM Stereo
157
Tips About Your Audio System
157
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
158
Care of Your Compact Discs
160
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
160
Fixed Mast Antenna
160
Chime Level Adjustment
160
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
161
Defensive Driving
162
Drunken Driving
163
Control of a Vehicle
166
Braking
166
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
167
Using Anti-Lock
168
Braking in Emergencies
168
Steering
169
Power Steering
169
Steering Tips
169
Driving on Curves
169
Steering in Emergencies
170
Off-Road Recovery
171
Passing
171
Loss of Control
173
Skidding
173
Driving at Night
174
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
175
Hydroplaning
176
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
177
Driving Through Flowing Water
177
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
177
City Driving
178
Freeway Driving
179
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
180
Highway Hypnosis
181
Hill and Mountain Roads
182
Winter Driving
184
Driving on Snow or Ice
185
If You're Caught in a Blizzard
186
Recreational Vehicle Towing
188
Dinghy Towing
189
Dolly Towing
191
Loading Your Vehicle
192
Towing a Trailer
194
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
195
Weight of the Trailer
195
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
196
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
196
Hitches
197
Safety Chains
197
Trailer Brakes
197
Driving with a Trailer
198
Following Distance
198
Passing
198
Backing Up
198
Making Turns
199
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
199
Driving On Grades
200
Parking on Hills
200
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
201
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
201
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
201
Section 5 Problems on the Road
202
Hazard Warning Flashers
203
Other Warning Devices
203
Jump Starting
204
Towing Your Vehicle
210
Engine Overheating
210
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
211
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
212
Cooling System
213
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
215
If a Tire Goes Flat
219
Changing a Flat Tire
219
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
220
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire
222
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
228
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
229
Compact Spare Tire
230
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
231
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
231
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
232
Service
233
Doing Your Own Service Work
233
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
234
Fuel
234
Gasoline Octane
234
Gasoline Specifications
235
California Fuel
235
Additives
236
Fuels in Foreign Countries
236
Filling Your Tank
237
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
239
Checking Things Under the Hood
240
Hood Release
240
Engine Compartment Overview
242
Engine Oil
243
Checking Engine Oil
243
When to Add Engine Oil
244
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
245
Engine Oil Additives
246
When to Change Engine Oil
246
What to Do with Used Oil
247
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
247
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
248
Engine Coolant
249
What to Use
250
Checking Coolant
251
Adding Coolant
252
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
253
Power Steering Fluid
253
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
253
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
253
What to Use
253
Windshield Washer Fluid
254
What to Use
254
Adding Washer Fluid
254
Brakes
255
Brake Fluid
255
What to Add
256
Brake Wear
257
Brake Pedal Travel
258
Brake Adjustment
258
Replacing Brake System Parts
258
Battery
259
Vehicle Storage
259
Bulb Replacement
260
Halogen Bulbs
260
Headlamps
260
Front Turn Signal Lamps
262
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Interior Mounted)
262
Turn Signal/Tail/Stop/Back-Up Lamps
263
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
265
Tires
266
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
267
When to Check
267
How to Check
267
Tire Inspection and Rotation
268
When It's Time for New Tires
269
Buying New Tires
270
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
271
Treadwear
271
Traction -- AA, A, B, C
271
Temperature -- A, B, C
272
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
272
Wheel Replacement
272
Used Replacement Wheels
273
Tire Chains
274
Appearance Care
274
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
275
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet
275
Using Cleaner on Fabric
275
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
276
Cleaning Vinyl
276
Cleaning Leather
276
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
277
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
277
Care of Safety Belts
277
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
277
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
278
Weatherstrips
278
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
278
Washing Your Vehicle
278
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
279
Finish Care
279
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
280
Cleaning Tires
280
Sheet Metal Damage
280
Finish Damage
281
Underbody Maintenance
281
Chemical Paint Spotting
281
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
282
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
283
Engine Identification
283
Service Parts Identification Label
283
Electrical System
284
Add-On Electrical Equipment
284
Headlamp Wiring
284
Windshield Wipers
284
Power Windows and Other Power Options
284
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
285
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
285
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
288
Replacement Bulbs
290
Capacities and Specifications
291
Capacities
291
Engine Specifications
291
Wheel Nut Torque
291
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
291
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
291
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
292
Introduction
293
Your Vehicle and the Environment
293
Maintenance Requirements
293
How This Section is Organized
294
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
295
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
295
Selecting the Right Schedule
295
Scheduled Maintenance
296
Short Trip/City Definition
296
Short Trip/City Intervals
296
Long Trip/Highway Definition
297
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
297
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
298
Footnotes
298
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
310
Footnotes
310
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
317
At Each Fuel Fill
317
Engine Oil Level Check
317
Engine Coolant Level Check
317
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
317
At Least Once a Month
317
Tire Inflation Check
317
Cassette Deck Service
317
At Least Twice a Year
318
Restraint System Check
318
Wiper Blade Check
318
Weatherstrip Lubrication
318
Automatic Transaxle Inspection
318
At Least Once a Year
319
Key Lock Cylinders Service
319
Body Lubrication Service
319
Starter Switch Check
319
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check
320
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
320
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check
321
Underbody Flushing Service
321
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
322
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
322
Exhaust System Inspection
322
Fuel System Inspection
323
Engine Cooling System Inspection
323
Throttle System Inspection
323
Brake System Inspection
323
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
324
Part E: Maintenance Record
326
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
330
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
331
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users
333
Customer Assistance Offices
333
United States
333
Canada
334
All Overseas Locations
334
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands)
334
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities
334
Chevrolet Roadside Assistance Program
335
Canadian Roadside Assistance
337
Courtesy Transportation
337
Plan Ahead When Possible
337
Transportation Options
338
Shuttle Service
338
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement
338
Courtesy Rental Vehicle
338
Additional Program Information
338
Warranty Information
339
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
339
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
340
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS
340
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
341
Service Manuals
341
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
341
Service Bulletins
341
Owner's Information
341
Current and Past Model Order Forms
341
2002 Chevrolet Malibu Overview
Introduction
The 2002 Chevrolet Malibu is a versatile and reliable midsize sedan that appeals to a diverse range of drivers. Emphasizing comfort and practicality, the Malibu combines functionality with a smooth driving experience, making it an ideal choice for families and commuters alike. With its refreshed styling for this model year and a suite of modern features, the 2002 Malibu stands out in the competitive sedan market.
Powertrains
The 2002 Malibu offers two distinct powertrains to cater to various performance preferences. The base model features a robust 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a commendable 145 horsepower, providing adequate power for day-to-day driving while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. For those seeking a bit more excitement, there’s an optional 3.1-liter V6 engine producing 175 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission, ensuring a refined driving experience whether you're navigating city streets or hitting the open highway.
Trims
This model is available in several trims, including the base Malibu, the LS, and the upscale LT. Each trim level offers a unique blend of convenience and comfort features. The base model comes well-equipped, while the LS adds keyless entry and alloy wheels. The LT trim takes it a step further with premium audio systems, power-adjustable front seats, and additional interior enhancements that elevate passenger comfort and aesthetics.
Features
The 2002 Chevrolet Malibu is packed with user-friendly features that enhance the driving experience. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD player. Safety is prioritized with standard front airbags and optional ABS, adding peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike. Additionally, the spacious interior and trunk space make the Malibu practical for everyday use.
Owner's Manual
The owner’s manual for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu provides critical information on maintenance schedules, operating procedures, and safety guidelines. Detailed information on features and troubleshooting tips ensures owners maximize their vehicle's potential while maintaining its performance and reliability over the years.
User manual download
The Chevrolet Malibu owner manual for the 2002 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2002 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.
Posted by, John Mana
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