
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

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Door Ajar Reminder........................................2-8
Delayed Locking.............................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-10
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Trunk..........................................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-14
Manual Windows..........................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Passlock
ž....................................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-16
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-16Ignition Positions..........................................2-17
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-18
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-19
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-20
Parking Brake..............................................2-23
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-23
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-25
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-26
Engine Exhaust............................................2-26
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-27
Mirrors...........................................................2-28
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-28
Outside Remote Control Mirrors......................2-28
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-29
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-29
Storage Areas................................................2-30
Glove Box...................................................2-30
Cupholder(s)................................................2-30
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-30
Garment Hooks............................................2-30
Sunroof.........................................................2-31
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Sunroof
If your vehicle has this
feature, the switch is
located on the headliner
between the sun visors.
The sunroof will only
operate when the ignition
is in ON.
The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can
be express-opened all of the way.
To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must ®rst
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch
back and release it.To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.
In both the vent and fully open positions, the air ¯ow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if
the switch is released during operation. Remember to
close the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
Notice:Do not attempt to force the sunshade
forward of the sliding glass panel. Damage will
occur and the sunroof may not open or close
properly.
2-31

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Passenger's Side)Fuses Usage
AInstrument Panel Lights,
Brightness Control
B Cruise Control Switches
C Climate Control System
D Cruise Control
E Fog Lamps
FInterior Lamps, Body Function
Control Module
G Radio
H Sunroof
CIRCUIT BRKR
PWR WNDWSPower Windows
MICRO RELAY
FOG LPSFog Lamps
5-79

Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-30
Publications Ordering Information..................... 7-9
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-35
Setting Preset Stations....................3-38, 3-42, 3-49
Setting the Time.............................................3-37
Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-37
Radios without Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-36
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-38, 3-43, 3-49
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-72
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-23
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-25
Short Trip/City De®nition.................................... 6-4
Short Trip/City Intervals..................................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance................ 6-6
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-14
Skidding........................................................4-13
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-17
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-69
Speci®cations, Capacities.................................5-82
Speedometer..................................................3-24
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-17
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-18
Steering.......................................................... 4-8
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-10Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-19
Steering Tips................................................... 4-9
Storage Areas................................................2-30
Center Console Storage Area........................2-30
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-30
Glove Box..................................................2-30
Storage.........................................................2-30
Garment Hooks...........................................2-30
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-65
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-66
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-27
Sun Visors.....................................................2-15
Sunroof.........................................................2-31
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)...............1-48
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-52
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-54
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-52
What Will You See After an
Air Bag In¯ates?.......................................1-52
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-50
T
Tachometer....................................................3-25
Taillamps.......................................................5-45
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps....5-45
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-57
12