2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you are driving about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the RES+ button on your steering wheel.
The vehicle will go back to your chosen speed and
stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already engaged, press
the RES+ symbol. Hold it there until you get up to the
speed you want, and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ symbol briey and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the set button on the steering wheel
until you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the set
button on the steering wheel briey. Each time you
do this, you’ll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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 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 do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three 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.
Press the cancel button. When cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument
panel cluster will go out.
3-13

Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
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 AUTO, a momentary turn of the
switch to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp
System. Turn the switch to off/on 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

The following charts show the condition of the vehicle’s exterior lamps when the transaxle is not in PARK (P) and
the switch is moved to each position:
United States Exterior Lamp Positions for Daytime
LampsPAUTO;2
Headlamp OFF DRL Mode OFF ON
Parking Lamp OFF OFF ON ON
Taillamp OFF OFF ON ON
United States Exterior Lamp Positions for Nighttime
LampsPAUTO;2
Headlamp OFF ON OFF ON
Parking Lamp OFF ON ON ON
Taillamp OFF ON ON ON
Canadian Exterior Lamp Positions for Daytime
LampsPAUTO;2
Headlamp DRL Mode DRL Mode DRL Mode ON
Parking Lamp OFF OFF ON ON
Taillamp OFF OFF ON ON
3-15

Canadian Exterior Lamp Positions for Nighttime
LampsPAUTO;2
Headlamp ON ON ON ON
Parking Lamp ON ON ON ON
Taillamp ON ON ON ON
Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and turn off the ignition
while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a warning
chime.
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 not work for Canadian vehicles.
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.
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.
3-16

The DRL system will turn your low-beam headlamps on
at a reduced brightness 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. See the
end of this section for more information on the
light sensor.
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.
Light Sensor
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel. Make sure it is not covered or the headlamps
may remain on when you do not need them. The light
sensor for the DRL and Automatic Headlamp features
is located on top of the instrument panel.
The automatic headlamp system may be on when
driving through a parking garage, heavy outcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
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.
Make sure the light sensor is not covered. See “Light
Sensor” inDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 3-16.
3-17

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. 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. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-19.
To idle your vehicle with the system off, turn the
ignition on and turn the exterior light switch to the
off/on position. For Canadian vehicles, the transaxle
must stay in PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.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.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
3-18

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. SeeRear Reading Lamps
on page 3-20.
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.
Parade Dimming
Parade dimming is a separate lighting mode of operation
that is activated if the park lamps are turned on during
the day. Usually when the park lamps are turned on
during the day, the display’s illumination and LEDs
become lower and the backlighting is activated.
To avoid this condition, backlighting is turned off, and
the displays and LEDs are set to a high predetermined
intensity when daylight conditions are detected to
enhance the display’s visibility during daytime.
3-19

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.
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.
3-20