2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU climate control

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-5
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
.........1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-54
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-28
Storage Areas
.........................................2-30
Sunroof
..................................................2-31
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-22
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-28
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
................. 5-9
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-48
Tires
......................................................5-48
Appearance Care
.....................................5-67
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-75
Electrical System
......................................5-76
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-82
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-83
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Chevy Malibu Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will ®nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a speci®c component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help ®guring out a speci®c name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
·Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
·Features and Controls in Section 2
·Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
·Climate Controls in Section 3
·Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
·Audio System(s) in Section 3
·Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Lockout Protection
Lockout protection is intended to provide enhanced
security and convenience. This feature prevents a driver
who has left the key in the ignition from locking the
doors, using the power door locks while any door
is open.
To override this feature, when the key is in the ignition
and any door is open, press and hold down the
power door lock switch for three seconds.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of your vehicle. If you don't leave the key in
the ignition, or if you use the manual door lock or
the remote keyless entry transmitter, you could still lock
your key inside your vehicle. Always remember to
take your key with you.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and set
the locks from the inside, then get out and close the door.
Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunk lock cylinder. When closing the trunk
lid, close from the center to ensure it fully latches.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open
or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
·Make sure all other windows are shut.
·Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªClimate Control
Systemº in the Index.
·If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
2-11

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªWinter Drivingº in the Index.
{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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a trailer,
also see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.
2-27

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Climate Control System.................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-25
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-26
Charging System Light..................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-29
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-32
Check Oil Level Light....................................3-33
Passlock
žWarning Light................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-34
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-34
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-35
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-37
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-37
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-41
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-48
Theft-Deterrent Feature
(Non-RDS Radios).....................................3-57
Theft-Deterrent Feature
(RDS Radios)...........................................3-57
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-57
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-58
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-59
Care of Your CD Player................................3-59
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-59
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-59
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Side Window Defogger Vents. See ªDefogging and
Defrostingº in
Climate Control System on
page 3-17.
B. Vent Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
C. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel. See
Interior Lamps on page 3-15.
D. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). See ªFog Lampsº in
Exterior Lamps on page 3-12.
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
F. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). See ªCruise
Controlº in
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-5.
G. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. See ªWindshield
Wipersº in
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-5.
I. Ignition Switch. See
Ignition Positions on
page 2-17.J. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
K. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-77.
L. Instrument Panel Cupholder. See
Cupholder(s) on
page 2-30.
M. Remote Trunk Release Button. See ªRemote Trunk
Releaseº in
Trunk on page 2-11.
N. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-10.
O. Tilt Wheel Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-5.
P. Parking Brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-23.
Q. Horn. See
Horn on page 3-5.
R. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-36.
S. Cigarette Lighter. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-17.
T. Ashtray. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-17.
U. Accessory Power Outlet. See
Accessory Power
Outlets on page 3-16.
V. Climate Control System. See
Climate Control
System on page 3-17.
3-3

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray is located at the lower part of the center of
the instrument panel. To remove the ashtray for
cleaning, pull up on the metal tab and pull the bin out.
Notice:Don't put papers or other ¯ammable
items into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them, causing
a damaging ®re.
The cigarette lighter is located above the ashtray.
To use it, just push it in all the way and let go. When
it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able
to back away from the heating element when
it's ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element. It can also blow
the fuse.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, turn the right knob to
select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
3-17

When it's cold outside 0ÉF (-18ÉC) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater, if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
see
Engine Coolant Heater on page 2-19.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to choose from to
clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and
warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
3-19