1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU air conditioning

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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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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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.

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3-5 Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the
temperature control knob all the way in the red area. Use
DEFROST and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To
warm passengers while keeping the front window clean,
use DEFOG.
If you select RECIRCULATION while in the VENT,
BI-LEVEL or FLOOR modes, humid air can recirculate
inside the vehicle and allow moisture to form on the
windows. If this happens, either press the A/C button to
on or select DEFROST or the DEFOG modes.Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger outlets are located on the
outside of the side instrument panel vents. To defrost the
side windows, turn the temperature control knob all the
way in the red area. Use FLOOR and adjust the fan to the
highest speed. To control fogging of the windows, turn the
temperature control knob all the way in the red area. Use
DEFOG and adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use BI
-LEVEL and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button. For additional airflow to the
side windows, aim the side outlets toward the windows
and close the center outlets.
Recirculation will not work in defrost and defog. This is
done to prevent recirculation of humid inside air and
allow the system to work properly.

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3-6 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the defogger switch. The indicator light will glow.
The rear window defogger will turn itself off after about
10 minutes after the first time the button is pressed, and
after 5 minutes each additional time the button is
pressed. You can turn the defogger off by pressing the
button again or turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.

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4-38 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need
additional wiring. Check with your dealer. The arrows
on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal
a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also flash, telling other drivers you're about
to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning to reduce
engine load (see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index).

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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-20 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-20 Thermostat
6
-20 Engine Coolant
6
-24 Power Steering Fluid
6
-25 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-26 Brakes
6
-29 Battery6
-30 Bulb Replacement
6
-38 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-38 Tires
6
-46 Appearance Care
6
-47 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-49 Care of Safety Belts
6
-50 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-51 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-52 Finish Damage
6
-53 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-54 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-55 Electrical System
6
-60 Replacement Bulbs
6
-61 Capacities and Specifications
6
-62 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-62 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts