2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU automatic

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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-15 Trunk
2
-18 Theft
2
-19 Passlock

2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-28 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Tilt Wheel
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-40 Exterior Lamps
2
-43 Interior Lamps
2
-45 Mirrors
2
-47 Storage Compartments
2
-48 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2
-48 Sun Visors
2
-49 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-50 Garment Hook
2
-51 Sunroof (Option)
2
-52 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-56 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-7 Power Door Locks
With the power door locks,
you can unlock or lock all
the doors on your vehicle
using either the driver's
or front passenger's door
lock switch.
Pull up on the switch to unlock all the doors. Push down
on it to lock all the doors.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors on your vehicle is not closed
properly, while the ignition is on and the shift lever
is moved from PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N),
you will hear a chime. Also, the door ajar light on
the instrument panel will come on and stay on until
the doors are closed.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
With this feature, when you close all the doors, turn on
the ignition and shift out of PARK (P), all of the doors
will lock. If someone needs to get out while the vehicle
is running, have that person use either the manual lock
lever or the power door lock switch. When the door
is closed again, it will lock automatically when the
vehicle reaches about 5 mph (8 km/h). All doors will
automatically unlock when the shift lever is moved
to PARK (P) and the key is turned to OFF.

2-8
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks
One of four operating modes may be selected and
programmed by the driver:

Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors will
remain locked unless manually unlocked or the lock
button is pressed. All doors will unlock when the
transaxle is shifted into PARK (P) and the key is
turned to OFF.

Mode 2: This mode is only available with the remote
keyless entry system (if equipped). All doors
automatically lock when the transaxle is shifted out
of PARK (P). Automatic driver's door only unlock
when the transaxle is shifted into PARK(P) and the
key is turned to OFF.

Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). No automatic
door unlock.

Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory it was
programmed in Mode 1. To determine the current
mode of the vehicle or to change to a different mode,
do the following:
1. Ensure the shift lever is in PARK (P) and all doors
are fully closed throughout this procedure. Turn the
ignition to ON.
2. Press and hold LOCK on either power door lock
switch for 10 seconds. Release the switch when you
hear the chime.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing and holding
LOCK on the power door lock switch (two chimes
for Mode 2, three chimes for Mode 3 and four
chimes for Mode 4).
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected is now set.

2-9 Delayed Locking
This feature will allow the driver to delay the actual
locking of the vehicle. This feature will not operate if
the key is left in the ignition. See ªAnti
-Lockout
Protectionº later in this section.
When LOCK on the driver's power door lock switch
is pressed, with the key removed from the ignition
and the driver's door open, three chimes will be heard.
The doors will not lock. Seven seconds after the driver's
door has been closed, all of the doors will lock and the
parking lamps will flash twice. The horn will also chirp
if the horn chirp feature is enabled. See ªProgrammable
Horn Chirpº in the Index for more information.
If the driver opens another door before the seven
seconds, the doors will not lock until seven seconds
after the last door is closed.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to LOCK twice
when leaving the vehicle, or the lock symbol button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the doors
will lock immediately.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to unlock,
the doors will unlock immediately and not lock
automatically after the doors are closed.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks
that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors
of your vehicle from the inside.
The switch for this
feature is located on the
inside of the rear door.
To use the security locks, do the following:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing to the other rear door.

2-12 Operation
The following functions
are available with the
keyless entry system:
(Lock): All doors will automatically lock when this
button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior lamps
will turn off after all of the doors are closed. If all of
the doors are closed when the transmitter lock button
is pressed, the parking lamps will flash twice and the
horn will chirp (if the horn chirp feature is enabled) to
indicate locking has occurred.
(Unlock): The driver's door will unlock
automatically when this button on the transmitter is
pressed. If the button is pressed again within five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for 10 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on. The parking lamps will flash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred.
(Remote Trunk Release): The trunk will unlock
when the vehicle symbol on the transmitter is pressed, as
long as the trunk lockout is not engaged. See ªRemote
Trunk Release Lockoutº in the Index. You can open the
trunk with the transmitter when ignition is on with the
shift lever in PARK (P), or when the ignition is off.
The interior lamps will come on for 10 seconds or
until the ignition switch is turned to ON.
(Horn): The horn will sound and the headlamps
and the parking lamps will flash for up to two minutes
when the horn symbol on the transmitter is pressed.
The interior lamps will come on and remain on while
the horn is sounding and the lamps are flashing. The
horn and lamps can be turned off by pressing the horn
symbol button again or by turning the ignition to ON.

2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.PARK (P): This position 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.

2-25
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. 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 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.

2-26
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
NOTICE: (Continued)