2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Defogging and Defrosting
You can use either defog or front defrost to clear fog
or frost from your windshield. Use the defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture. Use the front
defrost button to defrost the front windshield.
-(Defog):Use this setting to clear the windows of
fog or moisture. Turn the mode knob to this position to
select this setting. This setting will deliver air to the
oor and windshield outlets.
0(Defrost):Turn the mode knob to this position to
defrost the windshield. The system will automatically
control the fan speed if you select defrost from
AUTO mode. If the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C)
or warmer, your air conditioning compressor will
automatically run to help dehumidify the air and dry
the windshield. The air conditioning indicator light will
blink three times if you try to turn off the compressor
while in this mode.
Rear Window Defogger
If your vehicle has this feature, the lines you see on
the rear window warm the glass. The rear window
defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light above the
button will come on to let you know that the rear
window defogger is activated.
If driving below 50 mph (80 kph), the rear window
defogger will turn off about 15 minutes after the button
is pressed. If you need additional warming time,
press the button again.
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.
If your vehicle has heated mirrors this button will also
activate them.
Notice:Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window may damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not clear the inside of the rear
window with sharp objects.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the horizontal thumbwheels on the air outlets,
located in the center and on the sides of the instrument
panel, to change the direction of the airow. Airow
can be shut off at the center upper outlet by turning
the vertical thumbwheel. The other outlets can be
shut off by closing the outlet vanes.
The two upper outlets in the center of the instrument
panel are dedicated to the rear seats. These outlets
are xed to aim airow into the rear seats to help
cool occupants in hot weather. The louvers are xed,
do not attempt to move them or they may break.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, use the recirculation mode, with the
temperature knob at a comfortable setting to prevent
the odor from entering the vehicle through the
ventilation system. This can be helpful when
driving through a long tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this mode in cold
or cool weather can cause window fogging.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that may
be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your
warning lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let you
know when there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly — and even dangerous. So please get to
know your warning lights and gages. They are
a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you will need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this instrument panel cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages.
United States version shown, Canada Similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer. The
digital odometer will read 999,999 if someone tries to
turn it back.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must
be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far you have driven
since you last reset it.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-46for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON, a chime will come
on for several seconds to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already
buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag sensor, the air
bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, seeAir Bag Systems on page 1-52.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should
go out. This means the
system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
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{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the air bag
system may not be working properly. The air
bags in your vehicle may not inate in a crash,
or they could even inate without a crash.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on when you
turn on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and
you hear a chime, you may have a problem with
the electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while
this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
Low Brake Fluid or Push Park Pedal message. These
messages might help to determine why the brake
system warning light is on. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-50.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service. United StatesCanada
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