2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU ignition

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have
to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and
don’t use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to disengage the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument
panel cluster will go out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise
control system.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):This position turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):This position
automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps
during daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps,
and taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is the momentary Off/On
switch for the Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada,
this only works when the vehicle is in PARK (P).
When operating in the AUTO position, a momentary
turn of the switch to the Off/On position will turn off
the Automatic Headlamp System. Rotating the switch
to the Off/On position again will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System back on. The Automatic Headlamp
System is always turned on at the beginning of an
ignition cycle.
3-14

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL
can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but
they can be especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make both front turn signal lamps
turn on when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
In addition, Canadian vehicles DRL will also turn
on if you have turned on your parking lamps.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be illuminated.
The DRL system will be off any time your vehicle is in
PARK (P). The DRL system on U.S. vehicles can
also be turned off by using the Off/On switch for one
ignition cycle.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic system
will turn on your headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, instrument panel lights, and interior
switch backlighting.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top of
the instrument panel that inputs to the ACC, so be sure it
is not covered which will cause the system to be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the automatic lamp control
system so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The automatic
lamp control system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
lamp system will come on immediately. Once you leave
the garage, it will take about one minute for the automatic
lamp system to change to DRL if it is light outside.
3-17

During that delay, your instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position.
See “Instrument Panel Brightness Control” underInterior
Lamps on page 3-19.
To idle your vehicle with the system off, turn the
ignition on and rotate the exterior light switch to the
Off/On position. For Canadian vehicles, the transmission
must stay in PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
Headlamps Off in Park (P)
This feature works when the ignition is on and it is
dark outside. To turn the headlamps off when it is
dark outside but keep other exterior lights on, turn
the exterior lamp control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker
lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument
panel lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other
lamps when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamp
control to the AUTO or headlamp position.
This feature will work for Canadian vehicles if the
vehicle is in PARK (P).
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to illuminate
the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is turned to
OFF at night. Then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the switch at the end of the
turn signal/multifunction lever to the Off/On position.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has this
feature, the button for the
fog lamps is located on
the instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
If your vehicle has fog lamps, the ignition must be on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light in the button will glow when the fog lamps are
on. Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
3-18

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this
feature is located on
the instrument panel
to the left of the
steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The on
position will turn on the lamp anytime. The door position
will turn on the lamp whenever a door is opened. The
off position will shut off the lamp completely, even while
a door is opened. Your dome lamp may be equipped
with two rear reading lamps. See “Rear Reading
Lamps” following.
Entry/Exit Lighting
When you open any door, the lamps inside of your
vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade out 20 seconds
after the last door is closed, or when the ignition is
turned on after all doors have been closed. These lamps
will also go on when you press the trunk release
button, the unlock button or the panic button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps inside of your vehicle will turn on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition to
provide an illuminated exit.
Front Reading Lamps
Push the lens to turn the reading lamps on and off. The
reading lamps will turn on when the door is open if the
dome lamp is in the door position. The reading lamps will
also turn on with the dome lamp switch in the on position.
The lamps will not turn on if the door is open and the
dome lamp is in the off position.
Rear Reading Lamps
The vehicle’s dome lamp may have two reading lamps.
The reading lamps turn on and off by pushing on the lens.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
3-19

Cargo Lamp
If your vehicle is the MAXX model, it has a cargo lamp.
The cargo lamp comes on when the liftgate is opened.
If you want to leave the liftgate open you can turn off the
cargo lamp by pushing on the lens.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down protection feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, or visor vanity)
is left on while the ignition is turned off, the battery
run-down protection system will automatically shut the
lamp(s) off after 20 minutes. This will avoid draining
the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:
Turn on the ignition.
Turn the exterior lamp control off and then on.
Open a door.
Press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped).
Press the remote trunk release button.
Press the power door lock switch.The battery run-down feature will also be activated
when any door on the vehicle is left open and the
ignition is in OFF.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone.
For vehicles with anti-lock brake system (ABS), the
accessory power outlets are located on the front of the
center console storage area and also inside the
console storage compartment. Vehicles without ABS,
both outlets are located on the front of the center
console storage area. The compartment has notches
that allow power cords to be routed outside of the
console while the lid is closed. There is also an outlet in
the rear cargo area of the MAXX.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-20

{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.
3-35

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
3-36