2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU parking brake

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks............................................2-11
Door Locks..................................................2-11
Power Door Locks........................................2-12
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-12
Delayed Locking...........................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Trunk (Sedan)..............................................2-14
Liftgate (MAXX)............................................2-15
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-22
Starting the Engine.......................................2-23
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-24
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation (Base Model). . . .2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-29
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-29
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-32
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®and Compass...............................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass.................................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-37
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-38
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Automatic Transaxle Operation
(Base Model)
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-29. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.
2-26

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-37.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down momentarily
on the parking brake pedal with your left foot until you
feel the pedal release. If the parking brake is not
released when you begin to drive, the brake system
warning light will be on and a chime will sound warning
you that the parking brake is still on.
A message will also appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to remind you to release the parking brake.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-52.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-38.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-29

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-29.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-30

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation (Base
Model) on page 2-26.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. Press
the shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
2-31

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-29.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
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.
2-33

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-21.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Steering Wheel Controls and Cruise Controls
(If Equipped). SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-119andCruise Control on page 3-10.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-22.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Center Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-21.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-54.
J. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-21.
K. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-44.L. Side Air Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-21.
M. Adjustable Pedal Buttons (If Equipped). See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 2-24.
N. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-18.
O. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-18.
P. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
Q. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-29.
R. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
S. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-29.
U. Center Console Storage Compartment. See
Center Console Storage Area on page 2-44.
V. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-8.
W. Rear Wiper/Washer Controls (If Equipped).
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-10.
3-5

Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on for a
few seconds when you
turn on the ignition
as a check to show
you it is working.
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.
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.
United StatesCanada
3-40