Chevrolet 2012 Malibu Owner's Manual page 36

2-6 Seats and Restraints
Do not have a backrest reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{
WARNING
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
To recline a manual seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
2. Move the backrest to the desired
position, and then release the
lever to lock the backrest in
place.
3. Push and pull on the backrest to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seat backrest to the
upright position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the backrest to
make sure it is locked.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
To adjust a power seatback,
if available:
.
Tilt the top of the control
rearward to recline.
.
Tilt the top of the control forward
to raise.