Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-44
Sunroof
..................................................2-48
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-31Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-45
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-52
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-49
Tires
......................................................5-50
Appearance Care
.....................................5-78
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-86
Electrical System
......................................5-87
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-96
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner ManualM
Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-6
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-12
Delayed Locking...........................................2-12
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks...............................................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-13
Liftgate........................................................2-15
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-23
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-24
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-27
Parking Brake..............................................2-29
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-32
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-32
Engine Exhaust............................................2-33
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-34
Mirrors...........................................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-35
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-35
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®...................................................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-37
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-37
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-37
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the angle of the mirror, move the mirror to a position that
allows you to see out of the back window. To adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a knob
located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used to change
the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare
from headlamps behind you while driving at night, rotate
the knob clockwise. For daytime driving rotate the
knob counterclockwise.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-38for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. This feature enables the mirror to sense
nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps from behind and
automatically dim to reduce the glare to a safe level.
The automatic dimming feature is automatically on
or enabled each time the vehicle is started. If you need
to turn off the feature, press the OFF button once
and the green indicator light located to the left of the
button will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn the
feature back on, press and release the AUTO button
and the green indicator light will come on.
2-35
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with the OnStar®System.
The automatic dimming feature is automatically on or
enabled each time the vehicle is started. If you need to
turn off the feature, press the button located below
the mirror, on the far left, once and the green indicator
light will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn
the feature back on, press and release the button again
and the green indicator light will come on.
While turned on, this mirror functions exactly like the
automatic dimming mirror described previously.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-38for more
information about the service OnStar®provides.
2-36
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can not see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-16
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-24
Fuses Usage
CLUSTER/THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster,
Theft Deterrent System
ONSTAR
®OnStar®System
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag System
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Climate Control System
PEDALAdjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal
WIPER SWWindshield Wiper/Washer
Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR
LIGHTSOverhead Lighting,
Trunk/Cargo Lighting
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
HVAC CTRL (IGN) Climate Control System
Fuses Usage
HVAC BLOWER Climate Control System
DOOR LOCK Automatic Door Lock System
ROOF/HEAT
SEATSunroof, Heated Seats,
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switch
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (BATT) Airbag System
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare
5-90
Locks (cont.)
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-46Making Turns.................................................4-45
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-39
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Map Pocket...................................................2-45
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) – Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-35
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-35
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-37
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-37
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-37
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-22
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
9