1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

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2-59
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time allowing the oil normally in
circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
Passlock
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition to ON. The light
will stay on until the
engine starts.
If the light flashes, the Passlock system has entered a
tamper mode. If the vehicle fails to start, see ªPasslockº
in the Index.
If the light comes on continuously while driving and
stays on, there may be a problem with the Passlock
system. Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock,
and you should see your dealer.
Cruise Light (If Equipped)
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control.
Low Washer Light
The LOW WASH light will
come on briefly when you
turn on the ignition.
It will also stay on or come on and chime, if the fluid
reservoir is less than one
-third full.

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2-60 Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn
on the ignition.
It will stay on or come on and chime if it detects a
problem on the vehicle, such as a DRL or an ALC
malfunction. If this happens, see your dealer service
department as soon as possible.
Door Ajar Light
When the ignition is on, this
light will stay on until all
doors are closed and
completely latched.
You will hear a chime if a door is unlatched after the
engine is started and the vehicle is not in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left, when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears empty, the light will
come on and you will hear a
chime. You still have a little
fuel left, but you should get
more soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:

At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.

The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.

The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.

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2-61
-NOTES

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2-62
-NOTES

3-
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3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
3
-4 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-5 Defogging and Defrosting Windows
3
-6 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
3
-6 Ventilation System
3
-7 Audio Systems
3
-7 Setting the Clock for Systems without
Automatic Tone Control
3
-7 Setting the Clock for Systems with
Automatic Tone Control3
-8AM-FM Stereo
3
-10 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-15 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-19 Remote Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
3
-20 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-23 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-23 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-24 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-25 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-25 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-25 Fixed Mast Antenna

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3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you. The climate control system with air
conditioning uses ozone
-friendly R-134a refrigerant.
With this system, you can control the ventilation and
heating in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Climate Control System with Air
Conditioning
Fan Knob
The left knob selects the force of air you want. Turn the
knob clockwise to increase fan speed and
counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. To turn the fan
off (which will also turn the climate control system off),
turn the knob all the way counterclockwise. In any other
setting, the fan will run continuously. The fan must be
on to run the air conditioning compressor.
Temperature Knob
The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.
Mode Knob
The right control knob changes the functions of
the system.
VENT : In this position most of the air comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.

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3-3
BI-LEVEL : In this position the air comes
through the instrument panel outlets and through the
floor outlets. Set the center control knob to the
temperature desired.
FLOOR : In this position most of the air comes
through the floor outlet. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window outlets. Set the
center control knob to the temperature desired.
DEFOG : This position divides the air between
the floor outlets and the windshield defroster outlet. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this position when it is needed to help dry the air in
the vehicle.
DEFROST : This position directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlet. Some of the air
goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this position when
it is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.
Air Conditioning Compressor Button
Press A/C to operate the air conditioner compressor. The
indicator light will glow when the button is pressed to
indicate that the air conditioning system has been
turned on.
Recirculation Button
Press this button to limit the amount of fresh air entering
your vehicle. This is helpful when you are trying to limit
odors entering your vehicle. The indicator light on the
button will glow when it is pressed. RECIRCULATION
is available in all modes, except defog and defrost.
Pressing this button will cancel the OUTSIDE AIR button.
It is not recommended to use this button in the FLOOR
mode with heat. It is useful to quickly cool the vehicle
on hot days.
Outside Air
Press this button to allow the circulation of outside air in
the vehicle. The indicator light on the button will glow
when pressed. OUTSIDE AIR is available in all modes
including OFF and is automatically activated in DEFOG
and DEFROST.
Pressing this button will cancel the
RECIRCULATION button.

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3-4 Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for
your vehicle to cool down, which should help
fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C button pushed in. The system
will bring in outside air and direct slightly warmer air to
your lower body.
For quick cool
-down on very hot days, use VENT with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area and the
A/C and recirculation buttons pressed. If this setting is
used for long periods of time, the air in your vehicle
may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
cool it.
Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR and the OUTSIDE AIR
button with the temperature knob all the way in the red
area. The system will bring in outside air, heat it and
send it to the floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward the
rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear of
obstructions so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system uses to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.