2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU wheel

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-10 Trunk
2
-12 Theft
2
-13 Passlock

2-13 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-14 Ignition Positions
2
-15 Starting Your Engine
2
-16 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-18 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-22 Parking Brake
2
-23 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-25 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-25 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-26 Engine Exhaust2
-26 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-27 Windows
2
-28 Tilt Wheel
2
-29 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-34 Exterior Lamps
2
-37 Interior Lamps
2
-38 Mirrors
2
-40 Storage Compartments
2
-41 Ashtray and Lighter
2
-42 Sun Visors
2
-42 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-43 Garment Hook
2
-43 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-44 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-48 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-18
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Instrument Panel Cluster Display Shown
The gear positions are shown on the instrument panel
cluster and on the center console located between the
front seats.
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.
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).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-19
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control. You have to apply your
regular brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is to 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 ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see ªStuck
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-21
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You can damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Second-Gear Start
Your vehicle is equipped with a second-gear start
feature. Place the shift lever in SECOND (2) gear to
provide more traction when you are starting on ice
or other slippery surfaces. The transaxle will be in
SECOND (2) gear when the vehicle begins to move.
After starting in SECOND (2) gear, place the shift lever
in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
This feature is only for improved traction only when
the road surface is slippery and in not intended for
continuous use or when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow or gravel.

2-28
Auto-Down Switch
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Push the switch rearward
partway, and the driver's window will open a small
amount. If the switch is pushed all the way, the
window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, push the
switch forward. To raise the window, push and hold
the switch forward.
Lock Out Switch
The driver's power window controls also include a
lock out switch. Press LOCK OUT to stop front
and rear passengers from using their window switches.
The driver can still control all the windows with the lock
on. Press the LOCK OUT button again for normal
window operation.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you.
Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level, then
release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-32
When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three cycles
and will either stop or will resume the speed you were
using before.
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brake, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So, don't
use your cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Don't use cruise
control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.

2-33
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.
1. Press the cruise control OFF/ON button. The
indicator light on the OFF/ON button will turn on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET DECEL button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster
will turn on.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control ACCEL RESUME button for
about half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the ACCEL RESUME button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the switch or apply the brake. So unless
you want to go faster, don't hold down the ACCEL
RESUME button.Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the SET DECEL button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Press the ACCEL RESUME button. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the button. To increase your speed in very
small amounts, press the ACCEL RESUME button
for less than half a second and then release it. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pushing the SET DECEL button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push the SET DECEL button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button for less than half a second. Each time you
do this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

2-36 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, park lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also be on when driving through
a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
park brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the park brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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 parking 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.