1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU key

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 3100 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how
to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’ in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
, See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
~
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has a
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock. You have to apply
your regular brake before you can shift from PARK
(P)
when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out
of PARK
(P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
-- as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into the
gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button before
moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P)”
later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
I NOTICE: 1
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped. 1
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow’’ : Index.
2-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Into PARK (P)
I
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to OFF,
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK
(P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock. You
have to apply your regular brake before you can shift
from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in the ON position.
See "Automatic Transaxle"
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) -- as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK
(P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Step 5.
4. Turn the key to ON, to start the vehicle.
5. Shift to the drive gear you want.
6. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The button for your fog
lamps
is on the instrument
panel, to the left
of the
steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
intensity control.
When using fog lamps, the ignition must be on as well
as the parlung lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Push the button to
turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps
off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high-beam
headlamps
are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel cluster
lights by rotating the switch,
located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
steering wheel.
Illuminated EntryExit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside your vehicle
will go on. These lamps will fade out after about
40
seconds, or when the ignition is turned on after all doors
have been closed.
If the ignition was recently turned off,
the lamps will fade out after four seconds. These lamps
will also go on when you press the vehicle symbol
or
UNLOCK button on the optional Keyless Entry
System transmitter.
2-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the ignition has been off for less than two minutes,
the lamps inside your vehicle will stay
on for about
15 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamp. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the lamp
off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened. The OFF
position will shut
off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feat ;
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery. When any interior
lamp (trunk, reading, footwell or
glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned
off, the
battery saver system will automatically shut the lamp off
after
20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
LO reactivate the interior lamps, either:
0 The ignition must be turned on,
0 The activated lamp switch must be turned off and
then on or
0 A door must be opened.
The battery saver feature will also be activated when
any door
of your vehicle is left open.
Mirrors
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the angle
of the mirror, move the mirror to a position
that allows you see to out the back window.
To adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
’ A CAUTION:
1
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle
on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Center Console Storage Area
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
driver’s side
of the lid.
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove
box. To open,
pull the glove
box handle up.
2-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come
on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you
if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensor, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see “Air Bag’’ in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.