2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience
a problem see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory
bracket from the plug because the power outlets
are designed for accessory power plugs only.Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling and
ventilation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has the remote
start feature, the climate control system will function as
part of the remote start feature. The system will return to
the last settings the vehicle was at when it was turned off.
Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan must be on to run the air-conditioning
compressor.
3-21

To change the current settings, turn the right knob to
select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to
the oor outlets. Some air may be directed toward the
side windows.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
:(Outside Air):Press the right side of this button
to turn the outside air mode on. When this mode is
on, outside air will circulate throughout your vehicle.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will come
on to let you know that it is activated. The outside air
mode can be used with all modes, but it cannot be used
with the recirculation mode. Pressing this button will
cancel the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or
to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly. Press this button to turn the recirculation mode
on. When the button is pressed, an indicator light
will come on to let you know that it is activated. The
air-conditioning compressor comes on. The recirculation
mode can be used with vent, bi-level, or oor modes,
but it cannot be used with the defog or defrost modes.
The recirculation indicator light will blink three times
if you try to use recirculation in a mode that it can not
be used in.
Pressing this button will cancel the outside air mode.
When you switch to the defog or defrost modes
the system will automatically move from recirculation
to outside air. When you move the mode knob back
to another mode, the system will move back into
recirculation. When the vehicle or fan is turned off
and back on, the system will default to outside air
automatically. Only use recirculation mode when it is
needed for comfort, since window fogging may occur.
3-22

Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside 0°F (−18°C) 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,
seeEngine Coolant Heater on page 2-25.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. When the air
conditioning button is pressed, an indicator light 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 air conditioning.
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.
3-23

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.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode splits the air between the
windshield and the oor outlets with a small amount
directed to the side windows. When you select this
mode, the system turns off recirculation automatically
and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in
the defog mode. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield with some air directed to the oor vents.
In this mode, the system will automatically force outside
air into your vehicle and run the air-conditioning
compressor. The air conditioning indicator light will blink
three times if you try to turn off the compressor while
in this mode. Recirculation cannot be selected while in
the defrost mode.
To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following:
1. Select the defrost mode.
2. Select the outside air mode.
3. Select the highest temperature.
4. Select the highest fan speed.
3-24

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
defogger on or off. An indicator light will come on
to let you know that the rear window defogger is
activated. Be sure to clear as much snow from the
rear window as possible.
If driving below 50 mph (80 kph), the rear window
defogger will turn off about 15 minutes after the button
is pressed. If turned on again, the defogger will only
run for about seven minutes before turning off. The
defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button
again or by turning off the engine.
If your vehicle’s speed is maintained above
50 mph (80 km/h), the rear window defogger will
remain on once the button is pressed.
Notice:Don’t use anything 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. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Automatic Climate Control System
If your vehicle has this system, you can automatically
control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your
vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Select AUTO on both the fan
control and the mode control knobs to activate
the automatic system. When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature
and air delivery.
3-25

Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Place the fan knob and the mode knob to the
AUTO position.
The display will now show the current set
temperature. When auto is selected, the air
conditioning operation and air inlet will be
automatically controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run when the outside temperature
is over about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally
be set to outside air. If it’s hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch to recirculate inside
air to help quickly cool down your vehicle.
2. Set the temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with an initial
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for
the system to regulate. Press the up or down arrow
temperature buttons to adjust the temperature
setting as necessary. If you choose the temperature
setting of 60°F (15°C) the system will remain at
the maximum cooling setting. If you choose the
temperature setting of 90°F (32°C) the system will
remain at the maximum heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause the vehicle to heat
or cool any faster.Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based on sun
load, and also turns on your headlamps.
Also be careful not to cover the sensor grille on
the lower right side of the climate control faceplate.
This senses the inside vehicle temperature
needed for proper regulation.
To avoid blowing cold air at start-up in cold weather,
the system will delay turning on the fan until
warm air is available. The length of delay depends
on the engine coolant temperature. Turning the
fan knob will override this delay and change the
fan to a selected speed.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the climate
control display will initially show “AS” in place of the
temperature to indicate the remote start has been
activated. The system will automatically regulate the
temperature.
3-26

Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
9(Off):Select this position on the fan knob to turn off
the entire climate control system. Outside air will still
enter the vehicle, and will be directed to the oor.
This direction can be changed by changing the mode
position. The temperature can also be adjusted
using either the up or down arrow temperature buttons.
9(Fan):The knob with the fan symbol allows you
to manually adjust the fan speed.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to
the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
:(Outside Air):Press the right side of the button
to turn the outside air mode on. When this mode is
on, outside air will circulate throughout your vehicle.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light above the
button will come on to let you know that it is activated.
The outside air mode can be used with all modes,
but it cannot be used with the recirculation mode.
Pressing this button will cancel the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation):Press the left side of the
button to turn the recirculation mode on. This is helpful
when you are trying to limit odors from entering your
vehicle and for maximum air conditioning performance in
hot weather. When the button is pressed, an indicator
light above the button will come on to let you know that it
is activated. The recirculation indicator light will blink
three times if you try to use recirculation in a mode that
it can not be used in. Only use this mode when it is
needed for comfort, since window fogging will rapidly
occur if the air conditioning compressor is not engaged.
Pressing this button cancels the auto recirculation
feature. Each time the vehicle is started, the system
will revert to the auto recirculation function.
If you select recirculation while in defrost, defog or
oor, the light on the button will ash three times and
go out to let you know this is not allowed. This is
to prevent fogging.
3-27

When the weather is cool or damp, operating the system
in recirculation for extended periods of time may cause
fogging of the vehicle’s windows. To clear the fog, select
either defog or defrost. Make sure the air conditioning is
on. You will want to allow the air conditioning to run
automatically to help dehumidify the air.
Temperature Control:Press the up and down arrows
to increase or decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning compressor on and off. A light above the
button will illuminate when the air conditioning is on
When air conditioning is selected or in AUTO mode,
the system will run the air conditioning automatically to
cool and dehumidify the air entering the vehicle.
On 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. Then keep your windows
closed for the air conditioner to work its best.On cool, but sunny days while using manual operation
of the automatic system, use bi-level to deliver warm
air to the oor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets. To warm or cool the air delivered, press
the temperature buttons to the desired setting.
In AUTO mode the system will cool and dehumidify the
air inside the vehicle. Also while in AUTO mode, the
system will maximize its performance by using
recirculation as necessary.
Heating:On cold days when using manual operation of
the automatic system, choose oor mode to deliver
air to the oor outlets. To warm or cool the air delivered,
push the temperature buttons to the desired setting.
If you want to use the automatic mode, turn the knob to
AUTO and adjust the temperature by pressing the
temperature buttons.
The heater works best if you keep the windows closed
while using it.
3-28