I saw a new Malibu today with a dealer's drive-out tag in the window. What intrigued me about this car is that on the trunk, the badge simply said "Malibu." On the '08s and '09s, I've never seen one that didn't say "Malibu LS," "Malibu LT," or "Malibu LTZ."

This car appeared to have LS trim. Has anyone else seen this?

'Just curious.

Maybe the driver just removed the LS insignia because he thought the simply "Malibu" was prettier!

The dealer nearby has a Malibu on the lot that doesnt have any 'LS', 'LT', 'LTZ' Logos on. But it does have this 'Flex Fuel' Tag on. Its a 2010 model by the window description.

The 2010 models I've seen have the trim designation right next to the Malibu badge.

The dealer nearby has a Malibu on the lot that doesnt have any 'LS', 'LT', 'LTZ' Logos on. But it does have this 'Flex Fuel' Tag on. Its a 2010 model by the window description.

That means either it has the 3.5 V6(yes same engine as the Impala) that became available on the 09, (but don't look for info on Chevrolet.com, cause you won't find it) or there had been rumors of them making mods to the four banger to make it E85 compatible. Not sure why there is no mention of it in the sales materials either, but I came across 3 of them as I was searching dealer lots for mine.

Yeah even I have seen. maybe the dealor has removed the tag.

That means either it has the 3.5 V6(yes same engine as the Impala) that became available on the 09, (but don't look for info on Chevrolet.com, cause you won't find it) or there had been rumors of them making mods to the four banger to make it E85 compatible. Not sure why there is no mention of it in the sales materials either, but I came across 3 of them as I was searching dealer lots for mine.

and unless it changed for 2010 the 3.5L only comes with the 4-spd, and is a great combo... :) I LOVE mine.

...there had been rumors of them making mods to the four banger to make it E85 compatible. Come to think of it, the one I saw did have a "Flex Fuel" badge where the "LS" previously would have been.

One item I notice on many malibu's I see is the model is never in the same location. On my 2010 LT1, the model is next to the Malibu on the left side of the trunk. However, I have seen many cases where the same model is located on the right hand side of the trunk. Not sure if this is done at the factory or at the dealer. Also, can anyone tell me if the 4 cyl 6 speed version is E85? My car did not come with the badge for FlexFuel, so I am wondering if mine is not. Once again, this badging is sometimes seen and not seen on similar models.

There are two four cylinder engines in the 2010 models. One is flex fuel, the other isn't. Mine also does bot state flex on the trunk. I checked the engine config number in the vin and mine is not a flex fuel engine. Why they have two engine variation, who knows.

Doesn't really matter to me as I would never use the E85 fuel as the mileage is 30% less than straight gas.

I saw a new Malibu today with a dealer's drive-out tag in the window. What intrigued me about this car is that on the trunk, the badge simply said "Malibu." On the '08s and '09s, I've never seen one that didn't say "Malibu LS," "Malibu LT," or "Malibu LTZ."

This car appeared to have LS trim. Has anyone else seen this?

'Just curious.

Mine is a 2010 LS. It only says Malibu on the trunk. They must have deleted "LS" for 2010. All the other 2010 LS's I've seen don't have it either.

Also, can anyone tell me if the 4 cyl 6 speed version is E85? My car did not come with the badge for FlexFuel, so I am wondering if mine is not. Once again, this badging is sometimes seen and not seen on similar models.


The answer is yes according to the Owner's Manual (see page 6-8 of the Owner's Manual). This is new for the 2010 model. According to the owners manual, the 4 cylinder and the 3.5 liter V6 is Flex Fuel (E85) compatible. The 3.6 Liter V6 is not.

I don't think I've seen a Malibu with the Flex Fuel insignia on it. I have seen Impalas with it.

I don't think I've seen a Malibu with the Flex Fuel insignia on it. I have seen Impalas with it.

I've seen a few.

The Malibu I just bought is a 2010 LS and it does say Flex Fuel.

The answer is yes according to the Owner's Manual (see page 6-8 of the Owner's Manual). This is new for the 2010 model. According to the owners manual, the 4 cylinder and the 3.5 liter V6 is Flex Fuel (E85) compatible. The 3.6 Liter V6 is not.

I don't think I've seen a Malibu with the Flex Fuel insignia on it. I have seen Impalas with it.

Read my post. As said not all 2010 4 cyls. are E85 compatible. Look in the owners manual under, as I recall, fuel recommendations and it tells you about th etwo engines.

Read my post. As said not all 2010 4 cyls. are E85 compatible. Look in the owners manual under, as I recall, fuel recommendations and it tells you about th etwo engines.

The owners manual is not very clear. They mention that the 2.4L L4 (Vin Code 0) is E85 Compatible. They don't mention that there's more than one 4 cylinder in this section. What's the difference between the 2 engines? I thought there was only one 4 cylinder offered on the Malibu.

In any case, the 2.4 Liter Vin Code 0 is E85 Compatible.

The owners manual is not very clear. They mention that the 2.4L L4 (Vin Code 0) is E85 Compatible. They don't mention that there's more than one 4 cylinder in this section. What's the difference between the 2 engines? I thought there was only one 4 cylinder offered on the Malibu.

In any case, the 2.4 Liter Vin Code 0 is E85 Compatible.

Hummm where in the vin would i look for vin code 0...and lets say that it is not e85 compatible what would be the harm in running a tank of e85 sometimes...and i do mean rarely as there are not alot of places that are near me that sell it...but would be nice for the rare chance that it would be available...it wouldnt sit in the tank for very long as a tank of gas only lasts me about 3 days

The engine type is the 8th position of the VIN. See http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard09%2003-19-10%20R1.5.pdf for 2009. As far as E85 vehicles for 2009, look for the E85 FlexFuel stamp in http://archives.media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2009/09car.htm (http://archives.media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2009/09car.htm). I see no Malibu with E85 2.4L. There're many issues with that much ethanol content including the ECM calibration, fuel system seals and oxidation, and crankcase oil contamination.

In short, if your car has the decals that allow you to use E85 then it's safe to do so. If it doesn't then you could actually harm parts of your fuel system and/or engine by using it. If you're unsure, don't use it.

My Malibu has the Vin 0 code, it does not have a Flex-Fuel badge, but it does have a yellow gas cap stating that E85 is safe in it.

Yup, they also cheated you out of the LS emblem as well.:D

Yup, they also cheated you out of the LS emblem as well.:D

Actually my 'Bu has the LS emblem. :p Figure that out.

Now, that's bizarre. Is yours a fleet (w/o OnStar/XM)? What's in the 4th and 5th position of your VIN?

It has onstar/xm, so it's not fleet. 4th and 5th of VIN are: ZA

Actually ZA is fleet (vs. ZB for LS). See http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard%202010%20car.pdf. You're lucky that they ordered it without doing the usual OnStar/XM delete. With E85, you got on up on the LS.:)

Very peculiar. I knew it was a one-owner lease vehicle, and the guys I bought it from (this is my 7th car purchase off them) said they thought it might have been a Mary Kay car. I figured since it had onstar/xm it wasn't fleet. Another interesting car falls into my lap!