File in Section:

Service Bulletin

-

Bulletin No.:

15-NA-085

Date:

July, 2016

INFORMATION
Subject:

2016 Chevrolet Malibu New Model Features

Attention: This Bulletin Also Applies to Export Vehicles.

Brand:

Chevrolet

Model:

Malibu —
(VIN Z)

Model Year:
From:

2016

VIN:

To:

From:

2016

All

To:

All

Engine:

Transmission:

4 Cylinder L4
1.5L
Turbocharged
with Stop/Start
Technology —
RPO LFV
4 Cylinder L4
2.0L
Turbocharged
— RPO LTG

Hydra-Matic™
6T40 6-Speed
Automatic FWD
— RPO MNH
Aisin AF50–8 8Speed
Automatic FWD
— RPO MRC

Overview

4321935

4321809

Bulletin Purpose
This is a special bulletin to introduce the 2016
Chevrolet Malibu. The purpose of this bulletin is to help
the Service Department Personnel become familiar
with some of the vehicle’s new features and to describe
some of the action they will need to take to service this
vehicle.
About the Car
The 2016 Malibu — VIN Z (VIN Code 4th digit) will be
offered in L, LS, 1LT and 2LT (excluding Canada) trims
and Chevrolet's new uplevel designation, the Premier

Copyright 2016 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

July, 2016

which replaces the LTZ trim. The 2016 Malibu will be
built at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, in Kansas City,
Kansas.
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers dramatic
design, exceptional efficiency, and advanced safety
technology. Malibu will also keep you informed and
entertained on the go with available built-in 4G LTE
Wi-Fi. The Malibu has Chevrolet MyLink™ with
available Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™
compatibility, nine new-to-Malibu safety features,
including available Front Automatic Braking and the
new Teen Driver feature (standard when equipped with
the 8-inch (203 mm) diagonal color touch-screen
display) which provides driving statistics to the parents.
GM engineers designed the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with
approximately a four-inch (101 mm) longer wheelbase,
resulting in more interior space and greater comfort and
to be lighter, more fuel efficient, stronger and safer. An
important goal was to make the Malibu the most
mass-efficient car in its class. With the mass savings
spread throughout the vehicle, it provides greater
overall balance, a more responsive and agile driving
experience and decreased fuel consumption. The
result is an all-new Malibu that is nearly 300 pounds
(136 kg) lighter than the current model, an achievement
that gives it the segment’s lightest base curb weight
and contributes to an estimated 37 mpg highway (6.3
L/100 km highway) for the all-new standard 1.5L
turbocharged engine with fuel-saving stop/start
technology and equipped with the 6-speed automatic
transmission. The 1.5L engine is 86 pounds (39 kg)
lighter than the current model’s standard 2.5L engine
which enhances the Malibu’s front-to-rear weight
balance contributing to a more responsive driving
experience. A lighter curb weight also improves ride
and handling.
More than a third of the mass savings, approximately
120 pounds (54 kg) comes from the all-new body
structure, which features greater use of high-strength
steels.
The increased use of aluminum in the vehicle such as
an aluminum hood which is 5.6 pounds (2.5 kg) lighter
than the current model’s aluminum hood and more
aluminum chassis and suspension components also
deliver weight savings. New power window regulators
collectively save 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg) while another
2.2 pounds (1 kg) was saved by streamlining the
instrument panel and reducing the complexity of
components within it.
The Malibu’s available leather seats are collectively
40.6 pounds (18.4 kg) lighter than the current model.
A range of 16 to19-inch wheels specifically designed
for Malibu to complement its new exterior design.
The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) has
been moved to the roofline for a better aesthetic.
Additional Highlights
– Standard Rear View Camera on LS, LT and Premier
models.
– Ten standard air bags.
– Improved visibility.
– Wider-opening rear doors.
– Standard Passive Entry/Push-Button Start.

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Bulletin No.: 15-NA-085

StabiliTrak® Electronic Stability Control System.
Rollover Mitigation Technology.
Torque Vectoring by Brakes.
Engine Drag Control.
More standard seat content, including greater control
over seat positioning.
The rear decklid features a standard integrated
spoiler with aerodynamic benefits that help fuel
efficiency.
Available ventilated front seats.
Available contemporary lighting technology that
includes LED Daytime Running Lamps and Tail
lamps. LED Daytime Running Lamps are featured on
LT and Premier models and the Premier receives
LED tail lamps.
Available heated steering wheel.
Available dual-pane power sunroof.
Available Bose® Premium 9-speaker system.
Available dual rear-seat USB ports.
Available wireless charging (owner must supply an
adapter).
Available integrated chrome-trimmed dual exhaust
outlets.

Engines
Ecotec 1.5L DOHC l-4 VVT DI Turbocharged — RPO
LFV with Stop/Start Technology — RPO KL9

4324221

An all-new Ecotec 1.5L turbo is the standard engine
and it is part of a new global family of
small-displacement gasoline engines designed with
greater power density to deliver consistent performance
and efficiency.
• Displacement: 91 cu in (1,490 cc)
• Bore and Stroke: 2.91 x 3.40 in (74 x 86.6 mm)
• Block Material: Cast aluminum
• Cylinder Head Material: Cast aluminum

Bulletin No.: 15-NA-085
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July, 2016

Valvetrain: DOHC, four-valves per cylinder,
continuously variable valve timing
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic roller finger follower
Ignition System: Coil-on-plug
Fuel Delivery: High-pressure direct injection and
electronic throttle control
Compression Ratio: 10:1
Horsepower: 163 hp (122 kW) @ 5,700 rpm
(SAE Certified)
Torque: 184 lb.-ft. (250 Nm) @ 2,500-3,000 rpm
(SAE Certified)
Maximum Engine Speed (Fuel Cut-Off):
6,500 rpm
Recommended Fuel: Regular unleaded
Emission Controls: Close-coupled, catalytic
converter, positive crankcase ventilation;
evaporative system

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Recommended Fuel: Use Premium Unleaded
with an octane rating of 91 or higher
Maximum Engine Speed (Fuel Cut-Off):
6,700 rpm
Emission Controls: Close-coupled, catalytic
converter, positive crankcase ventilation;
evaporative system

Engine — Stop/Start System —
RPO KL9
Stop/Start System Overview

Ecotec 2.0L DOHC l-4 VVT DI Turbocharged —
RPO LTG

4565214

4324293

A higher-output 2.0L turbocharged engine is available,
offering a higher degree of performance, but not at the
expense of good efficiency.
• Displacement: 122 cu in (1,998 cc)
• Bore and Stroke: 3.39 x 3.39 in (86 x 86 mm)
• Block Material: Cast aluminum
• Cylinder Head Material: Cast aluminum
• Valvetrain: DOHC, four-valves per cylinder,
continuously variable valve timing
• Valve Lifters: Hydraulic roller finger follower
• Ignition System: Coil-on-plug
• Fuel Delivery: High-pressure direct injection and
electronic throttle control
• Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
• Horsepower: 259 hp (193 kW) @ 5,300 rpm
(SAE Certified)
• Torque: 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) @ 3,000-5,000 rpm
(SAE Certified)

Notice: The Stop/Start System is automatically
activated each time the ignition is turned ON.
A fuel-saving Stop/Start system has been integrated
with the 1.5L engine. When driving and bringing the
vehicle to a complete stop and firmly applying the brake
pedal, the Stop/Start system may turn the engine OFF,
depending on operating conditions. When the Stop/
Start system turns the engine OFF, the tachometer
needle will point at AUTO STOP (2) indicating the
engine has been shut down by the Stop/Start System.
Once the engine is restarted, the tachometer will
function normally.
Upon releasing the brake pedal or applying the
accelerator pedal, the engine will restart. After parking
the vehicle and turning the engine OFF, the tachometer
will read OFF (1).
An upgraded starter motor and advanced battery
technology support the increased number of engine
starts. The starter motor has a high performance
electric motor and stronger pinion engagement
mechanism. The starter motor has also been
re-designed to reduce the noise on startup. Advanced
battery technology ensures it can handle frequent
charge and discharge cycles. An intelligent battery
sensor module monitors the state of charge and health
of the battery. Battery state of charge and health are
used by the ECM to determine if the Stop/Start function
may be performed. It only takes the Stop/Start system
around 0.3 seconds to start the engine.

Page 4

July, 2016

AutoStop Inhibiting Conditions
In order to ensure neither the needs of the driver or the
vehicle are compromised, the engine will not
AutoStop if the following conditions are met:
• The ambient (outside) temperature and the engine
coolant temperature (ECT) correlation do not meet
the specified values.
• The ambient temperature is colder than 14°F
(−10°C).
• The battery temperature is colder than 32°F (0°C)
or warmer than 131°F (55°C).
• The HVAC system demand is high.
• The HVAC system has been set to Defrost.
• The 12V battery state of charge is low.
• The Battery Sensor Module Learn procedure has
not been completed. Refer to Battery Sensor
Module Learn in SI.
• Driver seat belt is not fastened and the driver door
is not fully closed. (Not applicable to vehicles in
North America).
AutoStop Enabling Conditions
The engine will AutoStop if ALL of the following
conditions are met:
• The initial minimum vehicle speed during the drive
cycle must be 12 mph (19 km/h) or more.
Subsequent AutoStop minimum speed may vary
from 1 to 6 mph (2 to 10 km/h), depending on the
vehicle.
• The ambient temperature and the ECT correlation
meets the specified values.
• The ambient temperature and transmission fluid
temperature (TFT) correlation meets the specified
values.
• Hood Position is CLOSED. Hood Position
CLOSED is a viewable scan tool parameter.
• The brake pedal is depressed more than a
specified value, which is approximately 27%.
• The accelerator pedal is in the learned minimum
throttle position.
• Brake booster vacuum is more than 7 psi (45 kPa).
• The transmission range selector is in D (Drive).
• Vehicle speed is less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
• Engine speed is less than 1,500 rpm.
• The ECT is less than 248°F (120°C).
• The HVAC system does not receive any A/C
compressor requests. (No A/C or Defrost mode
requests).
• The battery voltage is more than 12V.
• The battery state of charge is more than 75%. This
varies with state of health.

Bulletin No.: 15-NA-085

AutoStart Enabling Conditions
The engine will AutoStart if the following conditions
are met:
• Driver removes pressure from the brake pedal or
depresses the accelerator pedal while the vehicle
is in D (Drive).
• Hood Position changes to OPENED. Hood
Position CLOSED, AJAR or OPENED is a
viewable scan tool parameter.
• The battery state of charge is less than 73%. This
varies with state of health.
• The battery voltage is less than 11V.
• An A/C compressor request from the HVAC
system. (A/C or Defrost mode request).
• The vehicle speed increases.
• Brake booster vacuum is less than 6 psi (40 kPa).
• The ECT is warmer than 257°F (125°C).
• The HVAC system Economy mode has been
turned OFF by the driver.
Notice: If the AutoStart crank time exceeds
2 seconds a manual ignition switch restart will be
necessary.
• The AutoStop time has exceeded 2 minutes.
• Driver door is opened and the driver seat belt is
unbuckled. (Not applicable to vehicles in North
America).

dexos® Engine Oil